Why is ethylamine a stronger base than phenylamine?

A base is a proton acceptor. 

Amines work as bases due to the electronegativity of the nitrogen atom. The lone pair in the nitrogen atom is filled in a 2p(z) orbital, in phenylamine, the p orbital sufficiently overlaps with the p orbitals in the phenyl ring, thus causing the electron density to be spread over a larger area, or delocalised, thus reducing the basicity of the nitrogen atom.

On the other hand, in ethylamine, the nitrogen atom cannot overlap with any other atom and so the electron density is concentrated around the atom, or it's localised, thus increasing the basicity as it's able to attract protons more easily. 

AM
Answered by Adhib M. Chemistry tutor

9145 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Deduce which of Na+ and Mg2+ is the smaller ion. Explain your answer.


Define the term empirical formula. Determine the molecular formula of a compound with the empirical formula C2H4O and a relative molecular mass of 176.0


State and explain the general trend in first ionisation energy across Period 3


Describe the Structure and Bonding of Benzene


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences