Question

Which of the following statement is incorrect about nucleophiles?

• A. Nucleophiles have an unshared electron pair and can make use of this to react with an electron deficient species
• B. The nucleophilicity of an element (an electron donor) generally increases on going down a group in the periodic table
• C. A nucleophile is an electron-deficient species
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C A nucleophile is an electron-deficient species

A nucleophile is a chemical species that donates an electron pair to an electrophile to form a chemical bond in relation to a reaction. It is an electron rich species.

Generally nucleophilicity of an element increases on going down a group in the periodic table due to the decrease in electronegativity of element. Since, less electronegative cannot stabilise the negative charge on them, they show more nucleophilicity.

Hence, statement (c) is incorrect.