A Level Chemistry OCR Practice Exam

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What characterizes a nucleophile?

An atom that gains electrons from other atoms
An atom that is attracted to electron-rich centers
An atom or group that donates a pair of electrons to form a bond
An ion that is neutral in charge

The correct answer is: An atom or group that donates a pair of electrons to form a bond

A nucleophile is characterized as an atom or group that donates a pair of electrons to form a bond. This trait is essential in many chemical reactions, particularly in nucleophilic substitution and addition reactions. Nucleophiles are often species with a lone pair of electrons or a negative charge, allowing them to attack electrophilic centers (which are electron-poor) in a reaction. In the context of the other options, while gaining electrons from other atoms and being attracted to electron-rich centers might describe certain behaviors of chemical species, they do not specifically define the role of a nucleophile in forming bonds. Additionally, while some nucleophiles may be neutral, the defining feature is their ability to donate electrons regardless of their charge. Therefore, the focus on electron donation to form a bond is what distinctly classifies a nucleophile.