Which of the following statements is not correct for a nucleophile?
- Ammonia is a nucleophile.
- Nucleophiles attack low e- density sites.
- Nucleophiles are not electron seeking.
- Nucleophile is a Lewis acid.
Answer
(4) Nucleophile is a Lewis acid.
Solution
As per NCERT, a reagent that brings an electron pair is called a nucleophile, i.e. nucleus seeking; it attacks the electron-deficient (low electron density) site of the substrate.
⇒ Ammonia, with a lone pair on N, is a neutral nucleophile; statements (1), (2) and (3) are correct.
∵ A nucleophile donates an electron pair, it is a Lewis base, not a Lewis acid.
∴ Statement (4) is not correct.
Answer: (4)