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Question 830005
JEE Chemistry · Medium

Haloalkanes and Haloarenes: Nucleophilicity vs basicity MCQ

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Nucleophilicity vs basicityMediumQuestion 830005

Question

In polar protic solvents, which is a better nucleophile for SN2?
  1. A
    I⁻ (larger, more polarisable)
    Correct
  2. B
    F⁻ (more electronegative)
  3. C
    OH⁻ (strongest base)
  4. D
    H₂O (neutral)

Correct answer

I⁻ (larger, more polarisable)

Explanation

In polar protic solvents, small anions (F⁻, OH⁻) are heavily solvated → poor nucleophiles. Large, polarisable anions (I⁻, RS⁻) are less solvated → better nucleophiles. Order: I⁻ > Br⁻ > Cl⁻ > F⁻ in protic solvents.

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