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Give plausible explanation for each of the following : Why ae amines less acidic than alcohols of comparable molecular masses ? |
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Answer» SOLUTION :Loss of a proton from an amine gives an amide ion while loss of a proton from alcohol gives an alkoxide ion as shown below : `""underset("Amine")(R-NH_(2)) rarr underset("Amide ion")(R-NH^(-)+H^(+)` `""R-O-H rarr underset("Alkoxide ion")(R-O^(-)+H^(+))` Since O is more ELECTRONEGATIVE than N, therefore, `RO^(-)` can accomodate the -ve charge more easily than the `RNH^(-)`. In other words, `RO^(-)` is more stable than `RNH^(-)`. Thus, alcohols are more ACIDIC than AMINES. Conversely, amines are less acidic than alcohols. Alternatively :  Oxygen being more electronegative than nitrogen, pulls the electrons with a greater force causing release of protons. |
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