Among the nitrogen-containing compounds guanidine [], an amidine [], an aliphatic primary amine [], — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question
Question
Among the nitrogen-containing compounds guanidine [$HN=C(NH_2)_2$], an amidine [$R-C(=NH)NH_2$], an aliphatic primary amine [$R-NH_2$], and an aromatic amine [$Ar-NH_2$], which represents the exceptionally strongest Bronsted-Lowry base?
💡 Solution & Explanation
Guanidine is an exceptionally strong organic base. Upon protonation at the $sp^2$ hybridized imine nitrogen ($=NH$), the resulting conjugate acid (guanidinium ion) is highly stabilized by the formation of three completely equivalent and indistinguishable resonance structures. This massive thermodynamic stabilization of the protonated form drives the equilibrium heavily toward proton acceptance.