The following pictures represent solutions of three salts NaA (A^- = X^-,Y^-,or Z^-);water molecules and Na⁺ ions have been omitted for clarity.Arrange the three A^- ions in order of decreasing base strength.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the picture, the X^- ion has two adjacent carbon atoms with electron-withdrawing groups (ester and trifluoromethyl), while the Z^- ion has two adjacent carbon atoms with electron-donating groups (methyl and amino). This means that the X^- ion is the most electron-deficient and therefore the most basic of the three salts, while the Z^- ion is the most electron-rich and therefore the least basic of the three salts. Therefore, the order of decreasing base strength is X^- > Z^- > Y^-, which is option B.

The Following Pictures Represent Solutions of Three Salts NaA (A-

The Following Pictures Represent Solutions of Three Salts NaA (A^-