Question

Which is most reactive nucleophile in polar aprotic solvent?

Answer 1

Answer: The most reactive nucleophile in a polar aprotic solvent is F⁻.

Explanation: Polar aprotic solvents do not have acidic hydrogen and do not donate hydrogen to perform hydrogen bonding but they are polar in nature.

• When nucleophilicity of F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻ is seen in a polar protic solvent. Then, Hydrogen bonding is considered, as polar protic solvents have acidic hydrogen. The order of nucleophilicity will be (F⁻< Cl⁻<Br⁻<I⁻).
• When nucleophilicity of F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻ is seen in a polar aprotic solvent then size is considered. Down the group nucleophilicity decreases as size increases because the charge gets diffused and the ability to donate lone pair decreases.

The order of nucleophilicity in a polar aprotic solvent is F⁻> Cl⁻>Br⁻>I⁻.

The most reactive nucleophile in a polar aprotic solvent is F⁻.