Compare the basic ability between ammonia, ethyl amine and phenyl amine.

In terms of order of increasing basic ability, it is as follows. Phenylamine < ammonia < ethyl amine.
The reason why phenyl amine (containing a benzene ring) is a weaker base than ammonia is because the delocalised ring of electrons in the benzene ring has an electron-withdrawing effect. This results in the lone pair of electrons on the Nitrogen atom of phenyl amine being drawn into the ring. Therefore, the ability of phenyl amine to accept a proton is reduced and so it has less basic ability than ammonia.
On the other hand, ethyl amine (containing an ethyl group), is a stronger base because the ethyl group has an electron-donating effect. This makes it easier for the Nitrogen to accept a proton with its lone pair of electrons and therefore ethyl amine has improved basic ability over ammonia.

Answered by Chemistry tutor

20903 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is Ionisation Energy and the three factors that affect it? 2)State and explain the general trend in first ionisation energies for the Period 3 elements.


What is the electron figuration of a copper ion? The n what is the electron configuration of a copper2+ ion


What is the Le Chatelier's principle?


State how you would test a solution for the presence of sulfate ions? Explain, using an ionic equation, what you would expect to observe in the presence of sulfate ions.


We're here to help

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

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning