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) \(C_6H_6 + CH_3C+O^+ \rightarrow C_6H_5COCH_3\)
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.
\((a) \,\,CH_3COOH+HO^-→CH_3COO^-+H_2O\) Here, HO- acts as a nucleophile as it is an electron-rich species, i.e., it is a nucleus-seeking species.
\((b) \,\,CH_3COCH+CN^-→(CH_3)C(CN)+(OH)\) Here, -CN acts as a nucleophile as it is an electron-rich species, i.e., it is a nucleus-seeking species.
\((b) \,\,CH_6+CH_3CO→C_6H_3COCH_3\) Here, \(CH_3C^+O\) acts as an electrophile as it is an electron-deficient species.
Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques - Reaction Mechanism
SN1 Reaction Mechanism:
SN1 reaction mechanism takes place by following three steps –
Formation of carbocation
Attack of nucleophile
Deprotonation
SN2 Reaction Mechanism:
The SN2 reaction mechanism involves the nucleophilic substitution reaction of the leaving group (which generally consists of halide groups or other electron-withdrawing groups) with a nucleophile in a given organic compound.
