Answer to Question #94066 in Organic Chemistry for Megha Nautiyal

Question

NO2 is a better electrophile as compared to NH4. Explain.

Answer 1

NO₂ has bonded to two oxygens, which wisdraw electronic density, so the nitrogen becomes electronically poor, while in NH₄ hydrogens don't have such an effect and nitrogen is electron rich. Plus when NO₂ is attacked by a nucleophile the negative charge can conjugated between nitrogen and oxygen.