Nucleophilic strength:

The molecules above comprise both nucleophilic and electrophilic centers and could react like nucleophiles or like electrophiles. Though, it is generally found that there is a preference to react like one rather than the other. This is described by considering the comparative strengths of nucleophilic and electrophilic centers. Very firstly, let us consider the relative strengths of nucleophilic centers through comparing N, O, and F. If we compare the relative positions of these atoms in the periodic table, we make out that ?uorine is more electronegative as compared to the oxygen that in turn is more electro- negative than nitrogen. Though, while we compare the nucleophilic strengths of these atoms, we make out that the nitrogen is more nucleophilic as compared to oxygen that in turn is more nucleophilic as compared to the ?uorine.