Nucleophiles, Electrophiles and Reaction Types

Question 1

what are attacking groups classified as in reactions involving heterolytic bond fission?

Answer 1

nucleophiles or electrophiles

Question 2

what are nucleophiles?

Answer 2

• negatively charged ions or neutral molecules that are electron rich, such as:
  Cl−, Br−, OH−, CN− , NH3 and H2O
• attracted towards atoms bearing a partial (δ + ) or full positive charge
• capable of donating an electron pair to form a new covalent bond

Question 3

what are electrophiles?

Answer 3

• positively charged ions or neutral molecules that are electron deficient, such as:
  H+, NO+ and SO3
• attracted towards atoms bearing a partial (δ − ) or full negative charge
• capable of accepting an electron pair to form a new covalent bond

Question 4

what reaction types can be identified from a chemical equation?

Answer 4

• substitution
• addition
• elimination
• condensation
• hydrolysis
• oxidation
• reduction
• neutralisation