reano16 Re: Why ammaniais moce powerld than posphene(PHS) a8 9 base? MadSci Network: Chemistry Query: Search MadSci Re ‘hy ammoni mor ‘ful than hene( PH. ? Date: Wed Aug 5 14:17:31 2009 Posted By: Jerry Franzen, Chemistry Teacher Area of science: Chemistry ID: 1244504201.Ch Message: The simplest way to understand why ammonia is the stronger base begins with the Lewis structures of anmonia and phosgene. In each one the central aton has four pairs of electrons around it - three are bonding pairs to hydrogen atons and one is a lone pair. The availability of the Jone pair is the key. In anmonia, since nitrogen is more electronegative than hydrogen, the nitrogen atom is able to draw the electrons in the bonding pairs more towards itself in the bonds and away from the hydrogen atons. With this extra electron density near nitrogen in the bonds, the nitrogen doesn’t need to keep the lone pair so close or have so tight of a grip on it. Tt is readily available to make a bond to a proton or some other Lewis base. In phosgene, the hydrogen atons and the phosphorus aton have about the same electronegativity. So the phosphorus aton can’t draw the bonding electons as close to itself, and, therefore, it must draw the lone pair in closer or have a tighter grip on it. Therefore, the lone pair on phosphine is not as available to make a bond with a proton or some other Lewis base. Current Queue | Current Queue for Chemistry | Chemistry archives Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry. ‘Search MadSci MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | Ma MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a? | Join Us! i Archives | Mad Library | Help Support MadSci MadSci Network, webadmin@madsci.org © 1995-2006, All rights reserved. hipsimadsci rgpostsarchives!2008-08/1249606115 Ch. him! w