🧲Electrophile vs Nucleophile💞
Organic reactions are largely a dance between electron-poor and electron-rich species. These are electrophiles and nucleophiles.
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🧲Electrophile
- ✓Electron-loving, electron-deficient species
- ✓Accepts a pair of electrons
- ✓Often positive or partially positive
- ✓Attacked by nucleophiles
- ✓Examples: H+, carbocations, Br2
💞Nucleophile
- ✓Nucleus-loving, electron-rich species
- ✓Donates a pair of electrons
- ✓Often negative or has a lone pair
- ✓Attacks electrophiles
- ✓Examples: OH-, NH3, CN-
Verdict
Electrophiles are electron-poor and accept electron pairs; nucleophiles are electron-rich and donate them. Reactions happen when a nucleophile attacks an electrophile.
Frequently asked
Which one donates electrons?+
The nucleophile donates a pair of electrons; the electrophile accepts them.
Is a positive ion an electrophile?+
Usually yes. Positive or electron-deficient species act as electrophiles.
How do they react together?+
An electron-rich nucleophile attacks an electron-poor electrophile, forming a new bond.
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