Question #18833
In organic chemistry reactions we use a lot nucleophils and electrophils, what is the difference between them? and is there any compounds that can be nucleophils and electrophils at the same time?
Expert's answer
• Nucleophile is a substance that seeks a positive center. Electrophiles seek negative centers which have extra electrons.
• A nucleophile can be any negative ion or anyneutral molecule that has at least one unshared electron pair. Carbocations and other, completely or partially, positive charged species can act as electrophiles.
• Nucleophile is a Lewis base, and an electrophile is a Lewis acid.
• In a reaction mechanism, arrows are always drawn to show the electron flow from a nucleophile to the electrophile.
• A nucleophile can be any negative ion or anyneutral molecule that has at least one unshared electron pair. Carbocations and other, completely or partially, positive charged species can act as electrophiles.
• Nucleophile is a Lewis base, and an electrophile is a Lewis acid.
• In a reaction mechanism, arrows are always drawn to show the electron flow from a nucleophile to the electrophile.
