Question

Arrange the following in the increasing order of their basicity in an aqueous solution:
$\text{(CH}_3\text{)}_3\text{N}, \ \text{(CH}_3\text{)}_2\text{NH}, \ \text{NH}_3, \ \text{CH}_3\text{NH}_2$

Hint:

Alkyl groups donate electrons to the nitrogen atom, increasing the basicity of amines.

Answer 1

The basicity of amines increases with the number of electron-donating groups attached to nitrogen. Alkyl groups are electron-donating, which increases the electron density on nitrogen, making it more basic. Therefore, the increasing order of basicity is: \[ \text{NH}_3<\text{CH}_3\text{NH}_2<(\text{CH}_3)_2\text{NH}<(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N} \]