nucleophiles & electrophiles

Question 1

What are nucleophiles?

Answer 1

Nucleophiles “love nuclei”. Wish to form bonds by donating or sharing their
electrons
Nucleophiles are electrons rich and can be negative ions, or neutral molecules
with electron lone pairs

Question 2

What are examples of nucleophiles?

Answer 2

*hydroxide
*water
*alcohols
*amines

Question 3

What are electrophiles?

Answer 3

Electrophiles “love electrons”. Wish to form bonds by accepting electrons or
sharing electrons with a reactant molecule
Electrophiles are electron deficient and can be positive ions or neutral (but δ+)
molecules

Question 4

What are examples of electrophiles?

Answer 4

*ketone
*R-CH2-halide
*O=N=O

Question 5

Summarise resonance and its structure

Answer 5

1. All the resonance forms must be valid Lewis structures for the compound
2. Only the placement of the electrons may be shifted from one structure to
   another. Electrons in double bonds and nonbonding electrons (lone pairs) are
   most shifted
3. Nuclei cannot be moved, and all bond angles must remain the same. Sigma
   bonds are very stable, rarely involved in resonance
4. The major resonance contributor: the lowest energy. Possess the most octets
   satisfied, as many bonds as possible, and as little charge separation as possible
5. Electronegative atoms such as N, O, and halogens often help to delocalise
   positive charges, but they can bear a positive charge only if they have octets..