Question

Identify the reagents shown in bold in the following equations as nucleophiles or electrophiles.
(a) $CH_3COOH+HO^{–6} \rightarrow CH_3COO^–+H_2O$
(b) $CH_3COCH^{3+} C^–N\rightarrow (CH_3)_2C(CN)(OH)$
(c) $C_6H_6 + CH_3C+O^+ \rightarrow C_6H_5COCH_3$

Answer 1

Electrophiles are electron-deficient species and can receive an electron pair. On the other hand, nucleophiles are electron-rich species and can donate their electrons.

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$(a) \,\,CH_3COOH+HO^-→CH_3COO^-+H_2O$
Here, HO- acts as a nucleophile as it is an electron-rich species, i.e., it is a nucleus-seeking species.

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$(b) \,\,CH_3COCH+CN^-→(CH_3)C(CN)+(OH)$
Here, -CN acts as a nucleophile as it is an electron-rich species, i.e., it is a nucleus-seeking species.

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$(b) \,\,CH_6+CH_3CO→C_6H_3COCH_3$
Here, $CH_3C^+O$ acts as an electrophile as it is an electron-deficient species.