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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: yael on June 10, 2018, 04:24:59 AM

Title: Why amines are considered more basic than alcohols if their pKa is lower?
Post by: yael on June 10, 2018, 04:24:59 AM

1)Why Methylamine is considered more basic than tertiary alcohol, if the pKa value of methylamine is 10.6 and the one of the tertiary alcohol is 18?
As far as i know, if the pKa is lower the molecule is more acidic and less basic.

2) Why amines in general are considered to be more basic than alcohols if their pKa is lower?

3) What is the real pKa value of methylamine, at most of the places its 10.6, but in other places its above 30?

Thanks

Title: Re: Why amines are considered more basic than alcohols if their pKa is lower?
Post by: OrganicDan96 on June 10, 2018, 12:57:03 PM

what is pKa a measure of? and just think weather you are comparing like for like.

Title: Re: Why amines are considered more basic than alcohols if their pKa is lower?
Post by: OrganicDan96 on June 10, 2018, 01:20:39 PM

Quote from: OrganicDan96 on June 10, 2018, 12:57:03 PM

what is pKa a measure of? and just think weather you are comparing like for like.

and as you suggested they may have more than one pKa value.