Taking into consideration question 4.4 in Intro to O Chem (Which is a stronger nucleophile and why? Br- or F-?). Answer: Br-.
Is the strength of nucleophiles dependent on electronegativity?
Nucleophiles and Electronegativity
Moderators: Chem_Mod, Chem_Admin
-
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2016 3:00 am
-
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:58 pm
Re: Nucleophiles and Electronegativity
Nucleophiles want to be positive so they want to lose electrons. Because Br- is simply a bigger atom its electrons are held farther way therefore making it easier to remove than F-'s. But electronegativity is "electron pulling power" so that can be applied as well.
-
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:00 am
Re: Nucleophiles and Electronegativity
Nucleophiles are affected by the electronegativity of the element involved. As electronegativity increases, the nucleophilicity of an element decreases, and that is why Br- is a stronger nucleophile than F- (because fluorine's electronegativity is greater than that of bromine).
-
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:58 pm
Re: Nucleophiles and Electronegativity
The stronger nucleophile is the species that has electrons more readily available to be involved in a reaction. Thus, because Br- with its loosely bound 36 electrons, which translates to higher polarizability, is more likely to act as a source of electrons than F- with its tightly bound 10 electrons, which equates to lower polarizability.
-
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2016 3:00 am
-
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:59 pm
Re: Nucleophiles and Electronegativity
Do we need to have the more complex nucleophiles and electrophiles in chapter 4 (the ones drawn out in the first few pages of the chapter) of the organic course reader memorized? Or are those simply for reference?
Re: Nucleophiles and Electronegativity
Nucleophiles are affected by the electronegativity of the element involved.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests