Which of the following is more basic than aniline?

Step-by-step solution

Benzyl amine is more basic than aniline because the benzyl group is an electron-donating group on account of the + I effect. So, it is capable of increasing the electron density of N of the - NH ₂ group. Thus, because of the higher electron density, the rate of donation of a free pair of electrons is increased, i.e., the basic character is higher. Phenyl and nitro groups are electron attractive groups, so they are able to decrease the electron density of N of - NH ₂ group. Hence, they are less basic than aniline. A