Question

What are electrophiles and nucleophiles? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

An electrophile is a reagent that takes away an electron pair. In other words, an electron-seeking reagent is called an electrophile (E+). Electrophiles are electron-deficient and can receive an electron pair.
Carbocations $(CH_3CH^+_2)$ and neutral molecules having functional groups such as the carbonyl group ( ) are examples of electrophiles.
A nulceophile is a reagent that brings an electron pair. In other words, a nucleus-seeking reagent is called a nucleophile (Nu:).
For example: OH-, NC- , carbanions (R3C-), etc

Neutral molecules such as H2Ã- and ammonia also act as nucleophiles because of the presence of a lone pair.