Rank the following conjugate bases in order of increasing basicity, putting the least basic first. $$\begin{array} {llll}
\Theta _ { \mathrm { NH } _ { 2 } }&\mathrm { HO } ^ { \ominus }&\Theta _ { \mathrm { CH } _ { 3 } }\ \text { I }&\text { II } &\text { III } \ \end{array}$$

Question

Rank the following conjugate bases in order of increasing basicity, putting the least basic first. $$\begin{array} {llll}
 \Theta _ { \mathrm { NH } _ { 2 } }&\mathrm { HO } ^ { \ominus }&\Theta _ { \mathrm { CH } _ { 3 } }\ \text { I }&\text { II } &\text { III } \ \end{array}$$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The basicity of a conjugate base is inversely related to the acidity of its conjugate acid. Water (H2O) is more acidic than ammonia (NH3), which is more acidic than methane (CH4). Therefore, the order of increasing basicity is HO⁻ (II) < NH2⁻ (I) < CH3⁻ (III).

Rank the Following Conjugate Bases in Order of Increasing Basicity