para-Nitroaniline is an order of magnitude less basic than meta-nitroaniline. (a) Explain the observed difference in basicity. The presence of the nitro group in the position helps the base via eTextbook and Media (b) Would you expect the basicity of ortho-nitroaniline to be closer in value to meta-nitroaniline or to para-nitroaniline? The meta isomer will have a similar basicity, because an ortho nitro group has a smaller inductive effect as a para nitro group does. The meta isomer will have a similar basicity, because a meta nitro group has the same resonance with the nitrogen lone pair as a para nitro group does. The ortho isomer will have a similar basicity, because an ortho nitro group has the same resonance with the nitrogen lone pair as a para nitro group does. The ortho isomer will have a similar basicity, because a meta nitro group has a smaller inductive effect as a para nitro group does.