Question
Assign a reason for each of the following statement:
Ammonia is a stronger base than phosphine.
Solution
This is because of the electronegitivity and size difference in the elements N and P. N has a higher electronegitivity and pulls the electrons in the N-H bonds toward itself, creating a more polar bond than the P-H bond. N is smaller than P thus it is a better lewis base, being able to form more stable sigma bonds. Both of these things cause NH3 is more basic than PH3
