Question

Strongest nucleophile is:

• A. $RN{H}_2$
• B. $ROH$
• C. $C_6{H}_5{O}^{-}$
• D. $C{H}_3{O}^{-}$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Nucleophile is electron rich or negatively charged species.
$R\stackrel{\bullet \bullet }{N}{H}_2$ and $\underset{\stackrel{\bullet \bullet }{}}{\stackrel{\underset{\bullet \bullet }{}}{O}}H$ are weaker nucleophile because they don't have negative charge. The strength of $C_6{H}_5{O}^{-}$, decreases due to presence of benzyl group which withdraws electrons from oxygen due to $-I$ effect. $C{H}_3{O}^{-}$is strongest nucleophile because methyl group increases the electron density on oxygen, since it shows $+I$ effect.