Question 13
Identify the reagents shown in bold in the following equations as nucleophiles or electrophiles:
(a) CH3COOH + HO- → CH3COO- + H2O
(b) CH3COCH3 + C-N → (CH3)2 C (CN) (OH)
(c) C6H5 + CH3C+O → C6H5COCH3
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.
(a) CH3COOH + HO- → CH3COO- + H2O
Here, HO- acts as a nucleophile as it is an electron-rich species, i.e., it is a nucleus-seeking species.
(b) CH3COCH3 + C-N → (CH3)2 C (CN) (OH)
Here, C-N acts as a nucleophile as it is an electron-rich species, i.e., it is a nucleus-seeking species.
(c) C6H5 + CH3C+O → C6H5COCH3
Here, CH3C+O acts as an electrophile as it is an electron-deficient species.
