Which chemical group is most likely to be responsible for an organic molecule behaving as a base?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 31, 2017

An amino group, #......NH_2#

Explanation:

SImple organic molecules such as #"methylamine,"# #H_3N-CH_3#, and #"ethylamine,"# #H_3N-CH_2CH_3#, are Bronsted bases..........

#H_3C-NH_2(aq) + H_2O(l)rightleftharpoonsH_3C-NH_3^+ + HO^(-)#

#pK_b=3.36#

#pK_b("ethylamine")=3.20#

When you open bottles of aqueous solutions of these bases, the smell of the volatile amine will bring literal tears to your eyes; the smell is very distinctive, and penetrating.

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