Diethylamine is observed to be more basic in aqueous solution than ethylamine
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · A Level · Chemistry · Amines · Amines
Problem
Diethylamine is observed to be more basic in aqueous solution than ethylamine. Which of the following best accounts for this difference?
(a) Diethylamine forms more hydrogen bonds with water than ethylamine, which stabilizes its protonated form and increases its basicity.
(b) Resonance delocalization of the nitrogen lone pair in ethylamine reduces its availability for protonation.
(c) An additional alkyl group donates electron density inductively, increasing the availability of the lone pair on nitrogen.
(d) The alkyl group in ethylamine withdraws electron density inductively, destabilizing its conjugate acid and lowering its basicity.