Rank the following compounds in increasing order of basicity,putting the least basic first.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The basicity of a compound can be measured by its ability to accept a proton. Compounds with lone pairs of electrons on highly electronegative atoms (such as oxygen and nitrogen) are good proton acceptors and therefore strong bases. 
In compound I, the nitrogen atom has a lone pair of electrons and is attached to an electron-withdrawing carbonyl group, making it a stronger base than compound III. Compound II has a lone pair on the oxygen atom, but it is less electronegative than nitrogen, making it a weaker base than compound I. Compound IV does not have a lone pair on any highly electronegative atom, making it the least basic compound. Therefore, the correct order of increasing basicity is: IV < II < III < I, which corresponds to choice (B).

Rank the Following Compounds in Increasing Order of Basicity,putting the Least