Nucleophiles & Electrophiles Flashcards
What is a nucleophile?
A ‘nucleus lover’.
An element which has an area of electron density and has a strong attraction to the nucleus as a result.
Abbreviation: Nu
What is an electrophile?
An ‘electron lover’.
An element which has an area of electron deficiency and therefore has a strong attraction to electrons.
Abbreviation: E
What is a curly arrow?
A curly arrow shows the movement of a pair of electrons.
Always comes from an electron pair not a charge.
What is a resonance arrow?
A resonance arrow is double headed and shows the movement of electrons only.
What is a reaction arrow?
A reaction arrow is single headed and shows the movement of atoms and the formation of new bonds.
What is a leaving group & how to tell if it’s a good leaving group?
A leaving group is the group that leaves at the end of a mechanism.
Rule of Thumb: if the leaving group is a good base, it is not a good leaving group.
