Question

Factor(s) on which nucleophilicity depends is/are :

• A. Charge density
• B. Stability of nucleophile
• C. Steric hindrance
• D. Nature of solvent

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C), (D)

Nature of solvent

Factors affecting nucleophilicity

Charge density :
Higher the electron density, higher is the nucleophilicity.

Stability of nucleophile :
For two charged nucleophiles with the same nucleophilic site but bonded to different groups, the one with a lower stability is a better nucleophile.

Steric hindrance :
$\text{Nucleophilicity}\propto \frac{1}{\text{steric hinderance}}$

Nature of Solvent
Nucleophilic strength also depends on the type of solvent used. For example:
$F^{-}$ will act as a strong nucleophile in polar aprotic solvent but it act as weak nucleophile in polar protic solvent due to very high solvation of $F^{-}$ by $H^{+}$ ions in polar protic solvent.