Q80 / 180 · AIIMS 2005 · Chemistry

Pyridine is less basic than triethylamine because

  • A
    pyridine has aromatic character
  • B
    nitrogen in pyridine is $s p^2$ hybridised
  • C
    pyridine is a cyclic system
  • Correct answer
    D
    in pyridine, lone pair of nitrogen is delocalised.

Solution

Basicity of amines is due to availability of an unshared pair (lone pair) of electrons on nitrogen. This lone pair of electrons is available for the formation of a new bond with a proton or Lewis acid. Pyridine is less basic than triethylamine because lone pair of nitrogen in pyridine is delocalised.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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