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.