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SolutionsNucleophiles and Electrophiles

1. Nucleophile or electrophile?

Classify each species:

  1. HO−
  2. H+
  3. NH3
  4. CH3+
  5. Cl−
  6. BH3
  1. Nucleophile (negative charge and lone pairs).
  2. Electrophile.
  3. Nucleophile (unshared pair).
  4. Electrophile (carbon with only six electrons).
  5. Nucleophile.
  6. Electrophile (boron with six electrons).

2. Methyl chloride

When a nucleophile reacts with methyl chloride, CH3Cl, which atom does it attack and what is released?

It attacks the carbon, which is electron-poor because of the electronegativity of chlorine. The C–Cl bond breaks and the chloride anion, Cl−, is released.

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