Conjugation dramatically changes an amine's basicity

In aromatic amines, the conjugation with the benzene ring makes the amine a worse proton acceptor, but this phenomenon is strongly affected by any substituents on the aromatic ring.

Name, pKa of Ammonium Ion, Structure

Electrostatic Potential

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pKa of Ammonium Ion

p-Methoxyaniline

5.34

p=Methoxyaniline

Aniline

4.63

Aniline

m-Nitroaniline

2.47

m-Nitroaniline

p-Nitroaniline

1.00

p-Nitroaniline

Cyclohexylamine

10.66

Cyclohexylamine

N, N-Dimethyl-
aminopyridine

10.15

iN, N-Dimethylaminopyridine

You should be able to make several comparisons.  First, what effect does the functional group (methoxy, nitro) have on the basicity of the anilines?  Why is cyclohexylamine a better base than the anilines?

Finally, where do you think dimethylaminopyridine will be protonated?  Why?

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