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This is because of the electronegitivity and size difference in the elements N and P. N has a higher electronegitivity and pulls the electrons in the N-H bonds toward itself, creating a more polar bond than the P-H bond. N is smaller than P thus it is a better lewis base, being able to form more stable sigma bonds. Both of these things cause NH3 to more readily take up a proton from solution.

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13y ago
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5mo ago

Phosphine is more basic than ammonia because phosphorus is less electronegative than nitrogen, allowing the lone pair of electrons on phosphine to be more available for donation. Additionally, the larger size of phosphorus in phosphine leads to weaker P-H bonds, making it easier for the lone pair to be donated.

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Phosphorus is less electronegative than nitrogen, which makes it easier for phosphine to share its lone electron pair with a hydrogen ion.

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Q: Why phosphine is more basic than ammonia?
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Why phosphine is a stronger reducing agent than ammonia?

Phosphine (PH3) is a stronger reducing agent than ammonia (NH3) because phosphorus is less electronegative than nitrogen, making it easier for phosphorus to donate electrons. This leads to phosphine being more readily oxidized and exhibiting stronger reducing properties compared to ammonia. Additionally, phosphine has a weaker P-H bond compared to the N-H bond in ammonia, which contributes to its stronger reducing ability.


Why is ammonia a stronger base than phosphine?

Ammonia is a stronger base than phosphine because the nitrogen in ammonia is more electronegative than phosphorus in phosphine, leading to a higher electron density on the nitrogen atom in ammonia. This extra electron density makes the lone pair on ammonia more available to accept protons, resulting in stronger basicity.


Is benzylamine more basic than ammonia?

Yes, benzylamine is more basic than ammonia because the benzyl group donates electron density to the nitrogen atom, making it more nucleophilic and thus more basic compared to ammonia. Benzylamine has a lower pKa value than ammonia, indicating higher basicity.


How much more basic is ammonia compared to hand soap?

Ammonia is significantly more basic than hand soap. Ammonia has a pH of around 11-12, while hand soap typically has a pH closer to neutral or slightly basic around 7-9.


How many more times is ammonia more basic than baking soda?

Ammonia is about 1000 times more basic than baking soda. This is because the pH of a 1 M solution of ammonia is around 11.6, while the pH of a 1 M solution of baking soda is around 8.4.

Related questions

Why phosphine is a stronger reducing agent than ammonia?

Phosphine (PH3) is a stronger reducing agent than ammonia (NH3) because phosphorus is less electronegative than nitrogen, making it easier for phosphorus to donate electrons. This leads to phosphine being more readily oxidized and exhibiting stronger reducing properties compared to ammonia. Additionally, phosphine has a weaker P-H bond compared to the N-H bond in ammonia, which contributes to its stronger reducing ability.


Why is ammonia a stronger base than phosphine?

Ammonia is a stronger base than phosphine because the nitrogen in ammonia is more electronegative than phosphorus in phosphine, leading to a higher electron density on the nitrogen atom in ammonia. This extra electron density makes the lone pair on ammonia more available to accept protons, resulting in stronger basicity.


Is benzylamine more basic than ammonia?

Yes, benzylamine is more basic than ammonia because the benzyl group donates electron density to the nitrogen atom, making it more nucleophilic and thus more basic compared to ammonia. Benzylamine has a lower pKa value than ammonia, indicating higher basicity.


What substance is more basic than human blood?

Ammonia is more basic than human blood.


Why hydrazine more basic than ammonia?

Hydrazine is more basic than ammonia because it has two amino groups compared to just one in ammonia. This allows hydrazine to donate more protons, enhancing its basicity. Additionally, the lone pair of electrons on each nitrogen in hydrazine is more readily available for accepting protons, making it a stronger base than ammonia.


Why is ammonia more soluble in water than phosphine?

Ammonia is more soluble in water than phosphine because ammonia can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules due to its ability to donate a lone pair of electrons, increasing its solubility. Phosphine, on the other hand, lacks the ability to form hydrogen bonds with water and therefore is less soluble in comparison.


How much more basic is ammonia compared to hand soap?

Ammonia is significantly more basic than hand soap. Ammonia has a pH of around 11-12, while hand soap typically has a pH closer to neutral or slightly basic around 7-9.


How many more times is ammonia more basic than baking soda?

Ammonia is about 1000 times more basic than baking soda. This is because the pH of a 1 M solution of ammonia is around 11.6, while the pH of a 1 M solution of baking soda is around 8.4.


What is more basic ammonia or borax soap?

Ammonia is more basic than borax soap. Ammonia is a strong alkaline compound with a pH of around 11-12, while borax soap is a mild alkaline cleaning agent with a pH around 8-9.


What is more basic amonia or milk of magnesia?

Ammonia is more basic than milk of magnesia. Ammonia is a common household cleaner and has a pH level of around 11-12, while milk of magnesia is used as an antacid and has a pH level of around 10.5.


Why is phosphine non polar?

The shape is trigonal pyramidal Polarity is non-polar


Why ammonia is less basic than ethylamine?

Ammonia is less basic than ethylamine because the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom in ammonia is delocalized in the sp3 orbital, making it less available for donation. In contrast, in ethylamine, the lone pair is in an sp3 orbital on nitrogen, making it more available for donation, resulting in higher basicity.