What is the Difference Between Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Addition?

The main difference between nucleophilic and electrophilic addition lies in the role of the electron pair during the reaction.

Nucleophilic Addition: In this type of addition, an electron-rich component (nucleophile) donates an electron pair to an electron-deficient species. The nucleophile is either negatively charged or has a lone pair of electrons, which it donates to form a new bond.
Electrophilic Addition: In this type of addition, an electron-deficient species (electrophile) accepts an electron pair from another molecule. The electrophile can be positively charged or neutral with empty orbitals, and it forms a new bond by accepting electrons from the other molecule.

In summary, nucleophilic addition involves donating an electron pair by the added group, while electrophilic addition involves accepting an electron pair by the group being introduced.

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What is the Difference Between Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Addition?

Comparative Table: Nucleophilic vs Electrophilic Addition

The main difference between nucleophilic and electrophilic addition lies in the reactivity of the species involved. Here is a comparison of the two types of addition reactions:

Feature	Nucleophilic Addition	Electrophilic Addition
Definition	Nucleophilic addition is the process of adding a nucleophile to either an electron-deficient or a neutral molecule.	Electrophilic addition is the process of adding an electrophile to the pi bond of an alkene.
Reactants	A nucleophile combines with a molecule.	An electron-deficient species or a neutral compound with empty orbitals combines with a molecule.
Electron-Rich or Electron-Deficient	Involves an electron-rich component.	Involves an electron-deficient species.
Reactivity	Nucleophiles donate an electron pair to form a new covalent bond.	Electrophiles are either positively charged or neutral, and they accept electron pairs from nucleophiles.

For example, in a carbonyl group, electrophiles attack the oxygen, whereas nucleophiles attack the carbon. These reactions can be summarized as follows:

In nucleophilic addition, a nucleophile attacks a carbonyl compound, which results in the formation of a new carbon-oxygen bond and the breaking of a carbon-oxygen bond.
In electrophilic addition, an electrophile, such as a proton (H+), attacks a carbonyl compound, which results in the formation of a new carbon-hydrogen bond and the breaking of a carbon-oxygen bond.

In summary, nucleophilic addition involves the attack of a nucleophile, while electrophilic addition involves the attack of an electrophile.

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.