Question

Which is the stronger base in water, NH2- or -OH?

a) NH2-, because the negative charge is delocalized making the nitrogen more willing to accept a proton.

b) NH2-, because the nitrogen is less electronegative and cant hold the negative charge as well as oxygen

c) -OH, because the negative charge is delocalize making the oxygen more willing to accept a proton.

d) -OH, because oxygen is less electronegative and cant hold the negative charge as well as nitrogen.

e) -OH, because hydroxide is the strongest base possible

Answer 1

Answer:-

Option b) is correct answer.

NH₂^- is more basic than OH^- . "This is because the nitrogen is less electronegative and can't hold the negative charge as well as oxygen". The electronegativity value of nitrogen is 3.0 while, for oxygen it is = 3.5. Lesser the electronegativity of the atom/ element, the less stable the lone pair and can be more easily donated.

In short, we can say that, basic character is inversely proportional to the electronegativity of the element.

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