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Why does $\ce{N(CH_3)_3^+}$ have a larger $-I$ effect than $\ce{NH_3^+}$?

Since the methyl group is good at donating electrons it would stabilize the charge on nitrogen atom, decreasing its potential to withdraw electrons hence its $-I$ effect.

I can't figure out why its the other way around. Can someone help me understand this?

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  • $\begingroup$ Are the groups in a gaseous phase or in a polar solvent..? The choice of phases in case of these groups changes everything. $\endgroup$
    – Mitchell
    Feb 22, 2017 at 8:27
  • $\begingroup$ @BhavyaSharma nothing as such is mentioned in the question. The question just wants me to find the group with highest -I effect $\endgroup$
    – oshhh
    Feb 22, 2017 at 8:41
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    $\begingroup$ Methyl groups donate inductively only into empty-p-orbital cations (e.g. carbenium ions). Ammonium cations cannot profit from that stabilisation. $\endgroup$
    – Jan
    Feb 22, 2017 at 23:34
  • $\begingroup$ @Jan Oh I didn't know that, thank you! So basically inductive effect from methyl or hydrogen groups doesn't operate here. Then what is the factor that influences the stability of these ions? $\endgroup$
    – oshhh
    Feb 23, 2017 at 8:54
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    $\begingroup$ This question was answered a year ago at chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/88185/…. The ring donates a pi electron to N and one CH3 group hyperconjugates (in reverse). The effect is demonstrated by the strong meta and deactivation effect typical of pi deactivators; NH3+ is only a weak deactivator and therefore not a pi actor. $\endgroup$ Apr 21, 2021 at 14:05

2 Answers 2

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$\ce{N(CH3)3+}$ has more -I than $\ce{NH3+}$ , this irony happens because if you consider $\ce{N-CH3}$ bond and $\ce{N-H}$ bond, which is more polar?

Of course $\ce{N-H}$ bond will be more polar due to more difference in electronegativity value, so that implies electron density will be more on $\ce{N}$ in $\ce{NH3+}$ than $\ce{N}$ on $\ce{N(CH3)3+}$.

And therefore since electron density is less on $\ce{N}$ of $\ce{N(CH3)3+}$ , it will have greater -I effect.

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The reason is that the methyl though gives electron via +I effect in case of H it is easy to cleave the N-H bond for nitrogen and release proton and take the electron pair from hydrogen but with C it being more electronegative than H the same is not possible .

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  • $\begingroup$ But why is bond cleavage required? $\endgroup$
    – oshhh
    Feb 22, 2017 at 8:55
  • $\begingroup$ to disperse the +ve charge from more electronegative atom to less electronegative atoms $\endgroup$ Feb 22, 2017 at 9:00

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