6C.17 (7th edition)

[Andie Jian 1D]

The question asks whether BrO- or C17H19O3N is a stronger base. The solution uses their respective pKb values to determine their strengths as bases. However, is there a reason to logic which is stronger without the values, or would we have to be provided the values in order to know?

[Xinyi Zeng 4C]

To determine which one is a stronger base, you need to look at the availability of the lone pairs for donation. Therefore, those atoms without resonance and less electronegative atoms with lone pairs are usually stronger base by Lewis definition, as the lone pair can be more easily donated. But if the molecules you need to compare and it is hard to compare with reasoning, I think they will provide us with pKb values to compare!

[Bingcui Guo]

generally, the strength of an inorganic base is stronger than an organic base. So you can just write out BrO- is more basic than C17H19O3N.