JEE Main20264 April 2026Evening ShiftChemistryAminesActual
The strongest conjugate acid will result from:
Options
- Aaniline
- B4 -methoxyaniline
- C4 -nitroaniline
- D4 -methylaniline (p-toluidine)
Correct answer
C. 4 -nitroaniline
Step-by-step solution
The strength of a conjugate acid is inversely proportional to the basic strength of its corresponding base. Thus, the weakest base will form the strongest conjugate acid. The basicity of anilines depends on the availability of the lone pair on the nitrogen atom. Electron-withdrawing groups decrease basicity by withdrawing electron density, while electron-donating groups increase basicity. In 4 -nitroaniline, the - NO ₂ group is a strong electron-withdrawing group due to its -R and -I effects. This strongly delocali