Question

Im doing SN1/SN2 and E1/E2 reactions in class and my biggest problem is identifying whether something is a strong or weak base. Can you tell me what the best ways to identify whether something is a strong or weak base are?

Answer 1

- Stronger bases are strong nucleophiles too. They generally have negative charge on them ie they are conjugated base of weak acid.

And when dissolved in aqueous solution they completely dissociated into ions.

Examples include : NaCN (where NaCN exists as Na+, CN-). NaOH (exists as Na+, CN-) C2H5ONa(Exists as C2H5O-, Na+)

- Weak bases are generally neutral sepcies ie having no charge on them and they partially dissociate into ions when dissolved in aqueous solution.

Example include : all alcohols, and all conjugated base of strong acid