Is the lone-pair of electrons on the ammonia molecule delocalized?

2 Answers
Sep 27, 2017

Not to my knowledge.........

Explanation:

We gots #H_3N:#....the lone pair is localized on the nitrogen atom, and this is the nucleophilic centre.

On the other hand, the nitro group, #NO_2^-# or #""^(-)C-=N:# could potentially bind thru either atom in the molecule. As always, the organic chemist exploits reaction conditions that select a particular reactivity.

Sep 27, 2017

No it's not.

Explanation:

Ambident nucleophiles have negative charge delocalised over two unlike atoms (or over two like, but not equivalent atoms). Things like enolates would be ambident nucleophiles, but in ammonia #NH_3# there is no such delocalisation.