12. Classification of reactants and reactions

What are the 3 things reactants can be classified as?

Electrophilic, nucleophilic or radical

What is an electrophile?

Electron deficient species -> Attacks electron rich C atom or double bond by accepting a pair of electrons

How many electrons do electrophiles usually have?

Usually 6 electrons in outer shell, so accepting 2 others makes it stable

Give examples of an electrophile

Br2, HBr, H2SO4, H+ polar molecules, NO2+, H3O+

What is a nucleophile?

electron rich species -> attacks electron deficient species by donating a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond

How many electrons do nucleophiles have?

Complete outer shell and at least 1 lone pair -> Lone pair is donated

Give examples of nucleophiles

OH-, Br-, H2O, NH3, CH3OH, CN-

What is a free radical?

Highly reactive species that has 1 or more unpaired electrons

How do free radicals react?

React by pairing unpaired electron and is involved in chain reactions

How is a free radical written?

X dot