Final answer:
The difference in electronegativity between nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) in N2O affects the polarity and reactivity of the compound. Nitrogen is less electronegative than oxygen, resulting in a less polar and less reactive N-N bond compared to the N-O bond. This difference in electronegativity also explains why amines are basic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electronegativity difference between nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) in N2O affects the polarity and reactivity of the compound. This difference is due to the difference in electronegativity values between the two atoms. The electronegativity of nitrogen is lower than that of oxygen, meaning nitrogen is less electronegative than oxygen. As a result, the N-N bond in N2O is less polar and less reactive compared to the N-O bond.
Since nitrogen is less electronegative, it is more likely to donate its lone pair of electrons to a nearby proton, making amines basic. This behavior is a consequence of the difference in electronegativity between nitrogen and oxygen in N2O.