Question

Which of the following species is an electrophile?

• A. $N{H}_3$
• B. $C_6{H}_{5}N{H}_2$
• C. $BC{l}_3$
• D. $C{H}_{3}OH$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $BC{l}_3$

Electron deficient compounds generally act as electrophiles.

Lewis acid is the species which accepts the electron pair.

$BC{l}_3$ is an electron-deficient compound as the central atom $B$ has only $6$ electrons in its valence shell and therefore, has an incomplete octet.

Therefore, it has a high tendency to accept an electron pair and hence, acts as an electrophile.

The other compounds $N{H}_3,C_6{H}_{5}N{H}_2$ and $C{H}_{3}OH$ have one or more lone pair of electrons and act as nucleophiles.

Option C is correct.