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I came across this question which asked us to find in which alternative does the amine behave as an acid the most:

In which of the following reactions does the amine behave as an acid
(a) $\ce{(C2H5)2NH}$ + $\ce{H2PtCl6}$
(b) $\ce{CH3NH2}$ + $\ce{H2O}$
(c) $\ce{((Me)2CH)2NH}$ + $\ce{n-C4H9Li}$
(d) $\ce{(C2H5)3N}$ + $\ce{BF3}$

Answer given:

(c)

Now coming to my thought process:
So without considering the reagents (because I don't know any of these reactions!), I considered the acidic and basic nature of amines.
We know that secondary amines are the most basic while primary amines are less basic due to lesser $+I$ effect. So, my reasoning says that the answer should be (b), which is evidently wrong.

Any ideas about the reactions and the solution?

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    $\begingroup$ It is a relative term. For instance, water also acts as an acid or base based on which reagent it is reacting with. Basically, anything with $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a} \lt 7$, water acts as an base (e.g., acetic acid). Anything with $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a} \gt 7$, water acts as an acid (e.g., ammonia). $\endgroup$ Commented Jun 2, 2021 at 4:15
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    $\begingroup$ Question does not ask which amine is most acidic, but in which reaction amine acts as acid! $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Commented Jun 2, 2021 at 12:19

1 Answer 1

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Acid/base nature of any reagent is a relative term. For instance, water $(\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{w} = 14)$ also acts as an acid or base based on which reagent it is reacting with. Basically, any reagent with $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a} \lt 7$, water acts as an base (e.g., acetic acid; $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a} = 4.75$): $$\ce{CH3COOH + H2O <=> CH3COO- + H3O+}$$ Then again, if the conjugate acid of any reagent has $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a} \gt 7$, water acts with that reagent as an acid (e.g., the conjugate acid of ammonia with $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a} = 9.25$): $$\ce{NH3 + H2O <=> NH4+ + OH-}$$

Now, let's look at the given reactions:

(a) $\ce{(C2H5)2NH}$ + $\ce{H2PtCl6}$:
This is the though one among all four choices. The name of $\ce{H2PtCl6}$ is hexachloroplatinic acid, and thus, it is safe to assume that this acts like an acid in water meaning $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a}$ of $\ce{H2PtCl6}$ is $ \lt 7$. Ammonia with water acts as a acid $(\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a} \gt 7)$ and hence the amine in this case must acts as a base.

(b) $\ce{CH3NH2}$ + $\ce{H2O}$:
$\ce{CH3NH2}$ acts like ammonia with water because $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a}$ of its conjugate acid is about $10.5$. Thus, $\ce{CH3NH2}$ acts like a base here.

(c) $\ce{((Me)2CH)2NH + n-C4H9Li}$:
$\ce{n-C4H9Li}$ is a strong base with $\mathrm{p}K_\mathrm{a} \approx 50$ for conjugate acid of $\ce{n-C4H9-}$, $\ce{n-C4H10}$. Therefore, the amine acts here as an acid, giving away its lone proton.

(d) $\ce{(C2H5)3N + BF3}$:
Here, $\ce{BF3}$ is a Lewis acid, $\ce{B}$ in which does not fulfil the octet. Thus, it is craving for a electron pair, $\ce{N}$ in $\ce{(C2H5)3N}$ would gladly donate. Therefore, amine acts as a base here.

Therefore, no doubt, the choice C is the answer.

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