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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3g1104

Arrange in decreasing order of the C-N bond length: (I) , (II) , (III) 4-nitroaniline (C-N bond to the ring).

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D

Answer: C

In methylamine the C-N bond is a pure sigma bond between sp3 carbon and nitrogen, hence the longest. In aniline the nitrogen lone pair conjugates with the ring, giving partial double-bond character and a shorter bond. In 4-nitroaniline the para nitro group pulls the lone pair further into the ring, so the C-N bond is the shortest. The order is I > II > III.
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