Q. Which of the following compounds is most basic?
A) Acetanilide (C₆H₅–NH–COCH₃)
B) Aniline (C₆H₅–NH₂)
C) p-Nitroaniline (O₂N–C₆H₄–NH₂)
D) Benzylamine (C₆H₅–CH₂NH₂)
Explanation
[Solution from source] In benzylamine the –NH₂ is attached to a CH₂ group, so its lone pair is not delocalised into the ring and it behaves like an alkylamine. In aniline the lone pair is delocalised into the ring, a para –NO₂ withdraws it further, and in acetanilide it is also delocalised into the C=O group, so these are much weaker bases. Answer (4).
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.