Maharashtra BoardEnglish MediumSTD 11 ScienceChemistryBasic Principles of Organic Chemistry3 Marks
Question
Explain the term nucleophile. Give examples.
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Answer
$i.$ The species which donate $($give away$)$ electron pairs to the substrate during the reaction are called nucleophiles.
$ii.$ Since, nucleophiles are electron rich species, they donate a pair of electrons to acceptor atoms and thus, they are nucleus seeking (or nucleus loving) species.
$iii.$ e.g.
$a.$ Negatively charged nucleophiles $: OH^–, CN^–, Cl^–, Br^–,$ etc.
$b.$ Neutral species containing at least one lone pair of electrons:
$H_2O, NH_3, H_2S, R – OH, R – NH_2, R – OR,$ etc.
$iv.$ A polyatomic nucleophile has an electron rich atom in it called the nucleophilic centre.
e.g. The nucleophilic centre of the nucleophile $H_2O$ is $‘O \ ’$ which has two lone pairs of electrons.
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