Question

Which of the following species can act as the strongest base?
(a) ${}^{\Theta }OH$
(b) ${}^{\Theta }OR$
(c) ${}^{\Theta }O{C}_6{H}_5$
(d)

Answer 1

Weakest acid has the strongest conjugate base. ROH is the acid of $R{O}^{-}$ conjugate base, HOH is the acid of ${}^{-}OH,C_6{H}_{5}OH$ is the acid of $C_6{H}_5{O}^{-}$ and HO is the acid of . Among all these acids, ROH is the weakest acid. Therefore, the strongest base is $R{O}^{-}$ and the correct option is (b).