Question

Which one of the following has the highest nucleophilicity?

• A. $^{-} \text{O} \text{H}$
• B. $^{-} \text{C} \text{H}_{3}$
• C. $^{-} \text{N} \text{H}_{2}$
• D. $\text{F}^{-}$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Nucleophilicity decreases as we move from left to right in the period. This happens because as we move from left to right, the electronegative nature increases and as a result tendency to attack a positive charge decreases. Hence, the order of nucleophilicity is:
$F < O < N < C$
Hence, $^{-} \text{C} \text{H}_{3}$ has highest nucleophilicity.