Ncert Exercises & Solutions

Question 12:12:

What are electrophiles and nucleophiles? Explain with exaple.

An electrophile is a reagent that away an electron pair. ln other words, an electron-

seeking reagent is called an electrophile (E $^{+}$ ) . Electrophiles are electrodeficient and can receive an electron pair.

Carbocations $(C H_{3} C_{2}^{+})$ and netrual molecules having functional groups such as carbonyl

group are ecamples of electrophiles.

A nucleophile is a reagent that brngs an electron pair. ln other words, a nucleus-seeking

For example : OH $^{-}$ , NC $^{-}$ , carbanions ( $R_{3} C^{-}$ ) , etc .

Netural molecules such as $H_{2} \overset{. .}{O}$ and ammonia also act as nuceophilies because of the presence of lone pair.