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Which of the following is the strongest Lewis base?

  • a)
    NBr3

  • b)
    NF3

  • c)
    NCl3

  • d)
    NI3

Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which of the following is the strongest Lewis base?a)NBr3b)NF3c)NCl3d)...
Correct Answer :- D



  • Lewis bases need to be able to donate electrons. Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the halogens followed by chlorine, bromine and iodine. 

  • Due to fluorine being strongly electronegative, it draws the electron density towards itself which makes it difficult for nitrogen atom to donate its lone pair of electrons. So, NF is the least basic. This trend follows the strength of electronegativity of the halides. 

  • Since iodine is least electronegative, it is the most basic trihalide of nitrogen.



So, we have the trend, in decreasing order of basic strength:


NF3 < NCl3 < NBr3 < NI3
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Which of the following is the strongest Lewis base?a)NBr3b)NF3c)NCl3d)...
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Which of the following is the strongest Lewis base?a)NBr3b)NF3c)NCl3d)...
Strongest Lewis Base

To determine the strongest Lewis base among the given compounds (NBr3, NF3, NCl3, NI3), we need to understand the concept of Lewis bases and their strength.

Lewis Bases
A Lewis base is a species that donates an electron pair to form a covalent bond. These species have at least one lone pair of electrons available for donation. The strength of a Lewis base depends on its ability to donate the lone pair of electrons.

Electronegativity
Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. The greater the electronegativity difference, the stronger the attraction.

Now let's analyze each compound and determine the strength of their Lewis bases.

NBr3

- Nitrogen (N) is the central atom surrounded by three bromine (Br) atoms.
- Bromine is more electronegative than nitrogen.
- The lone pair on nitrogen is attracted towards the bromine atoms.
- The electronegativity difference between N and Br is moderate, making NBr3 a relatively weak Lewis base compared to the others.

NF3

- Nitrogen (N) is the central atom surrounded by three fluorine (F) atoms.
- Fluorine is more electronegative than nitrogen.
- The lone pair on nitrogen is strongly attracted towards the fluorine atoms.
- The electronegativity difference between N and F is greater than N and Br, making NF3 a stronger Lewis base than NBr3.

NCl3

- Nitrogen (N) is the central atom surrounded by three chlorine (Cl) atoms.
- Chlorine is more electronegative than nitrogen.
- The lone pair on nitrogen is attracted towards the chlorine atoms.
- The electronegativity difference between N and Cl is similar to N and Br, making NCl3 a relatively weak Lewis base compared to the others.

NI3

- Nitrogen (N) is the central atom surrounded by three iodine (I) atoms.
- Iodine is less electronegative than nitrogen.
- The lone pair on nitrogen is less attracted towards the iodine atoms.
- The electronegativity difference between N and I is the smallest among all the options, making NI3 the strongest Lewis base.

Therefore, the correct answer is option D, NI3, as it has the smallest electronegativity difference and the least attractive force between the central nitrogen atom and the surrounding iodine atoms.
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Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:Greater is the stability of the substituted ammonium cation, stronger should be the corresponding amine as a base. Thus, the order of basicity of aliphatic amines should be: primary > secondary > tertiary, which is opposite to the inductive effect based order. Secondly, when the alkyl group is small, like –CH3 group, there is no steric hindrance to H-bonding. In case the alkyl group is bigger than CH3 group, there will be steric hinderance to H-bonding. Therefore, the change of nature of the alkyl group, e.g., from –CH3 to –C2H5 results in change of the order of basic strength.In the following questions a statement of assertion followed by a statement of reason is given. Choose the correct answer out of the following choices.Assertion (

Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:Greater is the stability of the substituted ammonium cation, stronger should be the corresponding amine as a base. Thus, the order of basicity of aliphatic amines should be: primary > secondary > tertiary, which is opposite to the inductive effect based order. Secondly, when the alkyl group is small, like –CH3 group, there is no steric hindrance to H-bonding. In case the alkyl group is bigger than CH3 group, there will be steric hinderance to H-bonding. Therefore, the change of nature of the alkyl group, e.g., from –CH3 to –C2H5 results in change of the order of basic strength.In the following questions a statement of assertion followed by a statement of reason is given. Choose the correct answer out of the following choices.Assertion (

Which of the following is the strongest Lewis base?a)NBr3b)NF3c)NCl3d)NI3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which of the following is the strongest Lewis base?a)NBr3b)NF3c)NCl3d)NI3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for Class 12 2024 is part of Class 12 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 12 exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following is the strongest Lewis base?a)NBr3b)NF3c)NCl3d)NI3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Class 12 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following is the strongest Lewis base?a)NBr3b)NF3c)NCl3d)NI3Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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