Question

Why are amines less acidic than alcohols of comparable molecular masses?

Answer 1

Amines are less acidic than alcohols because the N-H bond is less polar than O-H bond ,so it releases H+ ions more difficultly.

Answer 2

Answer:

Alcohols are much more acidic than amines because the negative charge in the alkoxide ion is more localized on the oxygen atom as compared to nitrogen atom in amines.

As oxygen in alcohols is more electronegative as compared to nitrogen in amines, oxygen withdraws the electron density much more effectively than nitrogen and hence alkoxide ion is more stable.

Thus amines are less acidic than alcohols of comparable molecular masses.

$ROH\rightarrow RO^-+H^+$

$RNH_2\rightarrow RNH^-+H^+$