Nucleophiles and Electrophiles

Flow of Electrons/ Curved arros

always 2 arrows for acid base rxn
arrow from lp to proton of acid
arrow from proton bond to deliver lp to cb

Nucleophiles

nucleus (positive charge) loving that give an electron pair

electrophile

electron loving that accepts a pair of e^-

How to identify a nucloephile

• negatively charged or partially negative

• must have at least 1 lone pair

• pi electrons of an alkene or alkyne if there are no lone pairs

• lone pairs on C, O, N, S if they are neutral or negative

• lone pairs on F, Cl, Br, I if they are negative

• Negatively charged on O is nucleophilic even if there is a carbonyl near

how to identify electrophiles

• positive or partially positive

• less than a full octet

• weak bond

• all carbonyls at the carbon double bonded to the oxygen

• Anything attached to a neutral halogen

CONS Negative or Neutral Nucs

This reminds you that lone pairs on C, O, N, and S are nucleophiles if negatively charged or neutral.

Halogens Nuke Negative

Nucleophilic lone pairs on halogens (F, Cl, Br, I) (only if negatively charged)

C=O Carbon Calls Electrophiles Over

Reminds you the electrophilic site is specifically the carbon double-bonded to oxygen in carbonyl groups

Halogens Hold Electrophiles

Indicates molecules connected directly to neutral halogens are electrophilic

Less Eight? Electrophiles Wait

Reinforces the idea that incomplete octets strongly desire electrons and thus are electrophilic.