The decreasing order of the basic character of the following is :
(I) `F^(Ө)`
(II) `NO_3^(Ө)`
(III) `H_2 O`
(IV) `CH_3 OH`.

Options

A. `(II) gt (I) gt (IV) gt (III)`
B. `(III) gt (IV) gt (I) gt (II)`
C. `(I) gt (II) gt (III) gt (IV)`
D. `(IV) gt (III) gt (II) gt (I)`

Explanation

To determine the decreasing order of the basic character of the given species (I) `F^(-)`, (II) `NO_3^(-)`, (III) `H_2O`, and (IV) `CH_3OH`, we need to analyze the acidity of their corresponding acids and relate it to the basicity of their conjugate bases.

### Step 1: Identify the Acids
- (I) `F^(-)` is the conjugate base of HF (hydrofluoric acid).
- (II) `NO_3^(-)` is the conjugate base of HNO3 (nitric acid).
- (III) `H_2O` is the conjugate base of H3O^+ (hydronium ion).
- (IV) `CH_3OH` is the conjugate base of CH3O^(-) (methoxide ion).

### Step 2: Determine the Strength of the Acids
- HF is a weak acid.
- HNO3 is a strong acid.
- H2O is a weak acid (but stronger than HF).
- CH3OH is also a weak acid (but weaker than H2O).

### Step 3: Relate Acidity to Basicity
The basicity of a conjugate base is inversely related to the strength of its corresponding acid. The stronger the acid, the weaker its conjugate base.

- Since HNO3 is the strongest acid, its conjugate base `NO_3^(-)` will be the weakest base.
- HF is a weak acid, so `F^(-)` will be a stronger base than `NO_3^(-)`.
- H2O is a stronger acid than CH3OH, so `OH^(-)` (the conjugate base of H2O) will be a stronger base than `OCH3^(-)` (the conjugate base of CH3OH).

### Step 4: Order the Basicity
From the analysis:
1. `OH^(-)` (from H2O) is the strongest base.
2. `OCH3^(-)` (from CH3OH) is the second strongest base.
3. `F^(-)` (from HF) is the third strongest base.
4. `NO_3^(-)` (from HNO3) is the weakest base.

Thus, the decreasing order of basic character is:
**(III) `H_2O` > (IV) `CH_3OH` > (I) `F^(-)` > (II) `NO_3^(-)`**

### Final Answer
The correct order is: **H2O > CH3OH > F^(-) > NO3^(-)**

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