Question

The nucleophilicity of $F^{-}$ is higher in case of

• A. water
• B. ethanol
• C. DMSO
• D. acetone

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The nucleophilicity of $F^{-}$ is higher in case of DMSO (Polar aprotic solvent) as there is no hydrogen bonding in such solvents.

Here $F^{-}$ is a better nucleophile in polar protic solvents where its nucleophilicity decreases due to hydrogen bonding.

In polar aprotic solvents, the order of nucleophilicity is reversed:

$F^{-}>C{l}^{-}>B{r}^{-}>I^{-}$