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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Nucleophile and Electrophile?

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The main difference between nucleophiles and electrophiles lies in their electron-donating or electron-accepting characteristics. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Charge and Electron Deficiency:
  • Electrophiles are electron-deficient species, either positively charged or having a vacancy in their valence shell. They act as electron acceptors.
  • Nucleophiles are electron-rich species, either negatively charged or having lone pairs of electrons. They act as electron donors.
  1. Attraction:
  • Electrophiles are attracted towards negative charges (electron-seeking).
  • Nucleophiles are attracted towards positive charges (nucleus-seeking).
  1. Reactions:
  • Electrophiles attack nucleophilic centers in a substrate, bringing about electrophilic reactions.
  • Nucleophiles attack electrophilic centers in a substrate, bringing about nucleophilic reactions.
  1. Lewis Acid and Base:
  • Electrophiles are electron pair acceptors, also known as Lewis acids.
  • Nucleophiles are electron-pair donors, also known as Lewis bases.

Examples of electrophiles include H+, Br+, NO2+, BF3, and AlCl3. Examples of nucleophiles include OH-, Cl-, and CN-.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Nucleophile and Electrophile?
  • Comparative Table: Nucleophile vs Electrophile

    • Comparative Table: Nucleophile vs Electrophile

    Here is a table comparing the differences between nucleophiles and electrophiles:

    Property Nucleophile Electrophile
    Definition A nucleophile is a chemical species that donates a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond. An electrophile is a chemical species that accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.
    Charge Nucleophiles are usually negatively charged or neutral with a lone pair of electrons. Electrophiles are positively charged or neutral.
    Electron Deficiency Nucleophiles have an electron-rich atom. Electrophiles have an electron-deficient atom.
    Reactions Nucleophiles undergo nucleophilic addition and nucleophilic substitution reactions. Electrophiles undergo electrophilic addition and electrophilic substitution reactions.
    Examples Some common nucleophiles include H2O, -OMe, and -OtBu. Some common electrophiles include aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acid derivatives.

    In summary, nucleophiles are electron-rich species that donate electrons, while electrophiles are electron-deficient species that accept electrons. Both nucleophiles and electrophiles participate in various chemical reactions to form new covalent bonds.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.