High School

Even without a negative charge, sulfur, phosphorus, and nitrogen can be strong nucleophiles.

a) True
b) False

Answer :

Final answer:

Sulfur, phosphorus, and nitrogen can be strong nucleophiles even without a negative charge. So correct answer is option (a) True.

Explanation:

Sulfur, phosphorus, and nitrogen can be strong nucleophiles even without a negative charge. Nucleophilicity is determined by the electron-richness of an atom, which allows it to donate a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond. Elements like sulfur, phosphorus, and nitrogen have lone pairs of electrons, making them capable of acting as nucleophiles. For example, sulfur is a major component of proteins and can participate in nucleophilic reactions.