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------------------------------------------------ Considering the cyanide ion [tex]CN^-[/tex], which atom acts as a nucleophile and why?

A. Carbon because it bears the only lone pair.
B. Nitrogen because it bears the only lone pair.
C. Carbon because it has a formal charge of -1.
D. Nitrogen because it has a formal charge of -1.

The carbon atom within the cyanide ion acts as the nucleophile due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons and a negative formal charge on carbon, which make it capable of donating electrons in a reaction. Option C.

Explanation:

In the cyanide ion (CN-), the nucleophile is the carbon atom, not the nitrogen. This is due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons and a negative formal charge on carbon, which both contribute to its ability to donate electrons in a reaction. Option C.

In the case of cyanide, the carbon-nitrogen is a triple bond, meaning carbon and nitrogen are sharing three electron pairs. However, it's important to note that the formal charge is on carbon, giving it a higher electron density, and thus making it the nucleophile.

The concept of nucleophilicity is a key one in chemistry, particularly in reactions involving formation or breaking of bonds. Nucleophiles are species that have excess electron density and hence have the capability to donate electrons, and they usually attack or form bonds with electrophiles, species that are electron deficient.

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