Chapter 9, Problem 9.30P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

It is to be explained whether ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{S}$ will be a stronger or weaker nucleophile than ${\text{NH}}_3$ in ethanol.

Concept introduction:

Nucleophiles are nucleus loving species and are electron rich; they are attracted to electrophiles. The nucleophilicity is the ability of a nucleophile to react. When comparing two uncharged nucleophiles, the choice of the solvent does not play an important role and so is insignificant. The nucleophilicities of the two uncharged nucleophiles depends on their ability to accommodate a positive charge developed in the substitution product. Larger atoms are better at accommodating a positive charge than smaller atoms.