Chapter 3, Problem 8PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether aniline is a stronger or a weaker base than methylamine is to be decided on the basis of fact that the $\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}$ of the Anilinium ion is $4.63$.

Concept introduction:

Mathematically, $\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}$ is expressed as follows:

$\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}\text{= }-\text{log(}{K}_{\text{a}}\text{) }$

The stronger the acid, the weaker the conjugate base.

The larger the $\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}$ value of the conjugate acid, the stronger the base.