Nucleophiles and electrophiles

Front

What is a nucleophile?

Back

A nucleophile is a species that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond in a reaction. Nucleophiles are typically negatively charged or neutral molecules with lone pairs of electrons.

Front

What is an electrophile?

Back

An electrophile is a species that accepts an electron pair to form a chemical bond in a reaction. Electrophiles are usually positively charged or electron-deficient species.

Front

Which of the following cannot react as a nucleophile: (CH₃)₄N⁺ or I⁻?

Back

(CH₃)₄N⁺ cannot react as a nucleophile because it is a positively charged species and lacks a lone pair of electrons to donate.

Front

What is the role of Lewis bases in chemical reactions?

Back

Lewis bases are electron pair donors. They can act as nucleophiles in reactions by donating their electron pairs to electrophiles.

Front

What is the role of Lewis acids in chemical reactions?

Back

Lewis acids are electron pair acceptors. They can act as electrophiles in reactions by accepting electron pairs from nucleophiles.

Front

Provide an example of a common nucleophile.

Back

A common nucleophile is the iodide ion (I⁻), which has a lone pair of electrons that it can donate.

Front

Provide an example of a common electrophile.

Back

A common electrophile is the carbocation CH₃⁺, which is electron-deficient and can accept electron pairs.

Front

What is the difference between a strong nucleophile and a weak nucleophile?

Back

A strong nucleophile is highly reactive and readily donates its electron pair, while a weak nucleophile is less reactive and may require more favorable conditions to donate its electron pair.

Front

What is a characteristic of electrophiles?

Back

Electrophiles are characterized by their ability to accept electrons, often having a positive charge or being electron-deficient.

Front

What is the significance of charge in determining nucleophilicity?

Back

Generally, negatively charged species are stronger nucleophiles than neutral species because they have more electrons available for donation.