JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3g2239
Four heterocycles are shown beside the options (the drawn compound is thiazole, for reference). Which structure is the strongest base?
AStructure A
BStructure B
CStructure C
DStructure D
Answer: A
In N-methylimidazole the protonated form is an amidinium-type cation in which the two nitrogens share the charge, giving pKaH about 7.1. Pyridine is 5.2, pyrimidine 1.3 (the second ring N withdraws), pyrrole about -3.8.