methyl amine or ethyl amine which is more basic in aq media

Dear student,

Basicity of amines in aqueous medium depends on the ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

• Now, as we know that in this case 'ethylamine' contains a bulky ethyl group which hinders the formation of N--H hydrogen bonds, thus slightly decreasing its basicity in aqueous solution.
• While, in the case of 'methylamine' a lighter group i.e. methyl group is present which does not hinders the formation oh hydrogen bond.

Thus methylamine is slightly stronger base than ethylamine.

Hope this information clears your doubts about the topic.
Regards