Question

What are electrophiles and nucleophiles? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

An electrophile is a reagent that takes away an electron pair. In other words, an electron-seeking reagent is called an electrophile (E⁺). Electrophiles are electron-deficient and can receive an electron pair.

Carbocations (${\displaystyle {\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2^{+}}$) and neutral molecules having functional groups such as carbonyl group $$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{\setminus }\phantom{......}\\ (\mathrm{C}=\mathrm{O})\\ /\phantom{......}\end{array}$$ are examples of electrophiles.

A nulceophile is a reagent that brings an electron pair. In other words, a nucleus-seeking reagent is called a nulceophile (Nu:).

For example: OH^–, NC^–, carbanions (R₃C^–), etc.

Neutral molecules such as H₂Ö and ammonia also act as nulceophiles because of the presence of a lone pair.