Aromatic amines are weaker bases than ammonia because the aryl group is:
- Electron releasing
- Electron neutralising
- Electron generating
- Electron withdrawing
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: D. Electron withdrawing
1. The lone pair goes into conjugation with the ring.
2. It is then less available to take a proton.
3. The aryl group pulls electron density away.
_Source: syllabus Chemistry Part 2, Unit 9 'Amines'_