Which of the following is not a nucleophile?
Correct answer: D. Br2
- A. NH3
- B. OH
- C. CN-
- D. Br2
Explanation
Br₂ is not a nucleophile because:No Significant Negative Charge:Nucleophiles are electron-rich species that donate electrons.Br₂ is a neutral molecule with no formal negative charge, making it less likely to donate electrons.Weak Electron Donation Ability:Even though Br atoms have lone pairs, they are held tightly and not readily available for donation.Instead, Br₂ tends to act as an electrophile (electron acceptor), especially in reactions like electrophilic addition.Polarizability but No Strong Nucleophilic Character:Br₂ is a polarizable molecule, meaning it can momentarily develop dipoles, but this does not make it a nucleophile.In reactions, Br₂ often undergoes heterolytic cleavage, forming Br⁺ (electrophile) and Br⁻ (nucleophile), where only Br⁻ is nucleophile.
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About Nucleophilic Substitution
Nucleophilic substitution replaces a leaving group in an alkyl halide when an electron-rich nucleophile attacks the carbon atom. The topic compares SN1 and SN2 mechanisms, including reaction conditions, substrate structure, solvent effects, nucleophile strength, carbocation formation and stereochemical changes, and distinguishes substitution from elimination.
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