question_answer

Amines are more basic than comparable alcohols.

Answer:

                Amines are more basic than comparable alcohols because of the following two reasons: (i) N being less electronegative is more willing to donate its lone pair of electrons to a proton than the more electronegative O atom. Therefore, amines are more basic than alcohols. (ii) When an amine accepts a proton, ammonium salt is formed and when an alcohol accepts a proton oxonium salt is formed.         Since N being less electronegative can accommodate the positive charge better than the more electronegative O atom, therefore, ammonium salts are more stable than oxonium salts. As a result, amines are more basic than alcohols.