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NEET levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 1 of 3o3066

Among the following neutral species, the best nucleophile towards an alkyl halide in an SN2 reaction is

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D

Answer: D

Within a period nucleophilicity falls as electronegativity rises, because a less electronegative atom holds its lone pair less tightly. Nitrogen is less electronegative than oxygen and fluorine, so is the best. Methane has no lone pair.
Practice Organic Reaction Mechanisms III: Nucleophilic Substitution More on SN1 vs SN2: substrate, nucleophile, solvent, leaving group

More questions on SN1 vs SN2: substrate, nucleophile, solvent, leaving group