Question

What are electrophiles and nucleophiles and what are their types? Discuss in detail.

Answer 1

Dear Student,
Nucleophiles: A nucleophile is a species (anion or a molecule) which is strongly attracted to a region of positive charge.
Nucleophiles are either fully negative ions or have a strong –ve charge. Common nucleophiles are hydroxide ions, cyanide ions, water and ammonia.OH^-,,CN-​​_​​,H₂O etc.
Notice that each of these contains at least one lone pair of electrons either on an atom carrying a full negative charge or on a very electronegative atom carrying a substantial-charge.

Electrophile: A electrophile is a species (cation) which is electron deficient hence attacked by negatively charged or electron rich species.
It participated in a chemical reaction by accepting an electron pair from nucleophile.
common electrophiles are Cl⁺, NO₂⁺, HSO₃⁺ etc.
Regards