Arrange the following anions in decreasing order of basic strength: I $CH X_{3} CH X_{2} X^{-}$ , II $NH X_{2} X^{-}$ , III $HC \equiv C X^{-}$ , IV $OH X^{-}$ .

AI > III > II > IV
BI > II > III > IV
CII > I > III > IV
DI > II > IV > III

Answer: B

A stronger base has a weaker conjugate acid. Approximate pKa values of the conjugate acids: ethane about 50, ammonia about 38, ethyne about 25 and water about 15.7. The weaker the acid, the stronger the base, so I > II > III > IV.

Practice General Organic Chemistry I: Electronic Effects More on Applications: stability of carbocations, carbanions, free radicals

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Arrange the following anions in decreasing order of basic strength: I CHX3​CHX2​X−, II NHX2​X−, III HC≡CX−, IV OHX−.

Answer: B

More questions on Applications: stability of carbocations, carbanions, free radicals

Arrange the following anions in decreasing order of basic strength: I $CH X_{3} CH X_{2} X^{-}$ , II $NH X_{2} X^{-}$ , III $HC \equiv C X^{-}$ , IV $OH X^{-}$ .