Which one of the following species is not an electrophile ?
Correct answer: A. NH3
- A. NH3
- B. Br+
- C. H+
- D. BF3
Explanation
An electrophile accepts an electron pair, as H+, Br+ and BF3 do because they are electron-deficient. NH3 has a lone pair available for donation, so it acts as a nucleophile rather than an electrophile. Students may choose H+ because it has no electrons of its own, but that electron deficiency is precisely why it is an electrophile.
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About Nucleophilic Substitution
Nucleophilic substitution replaces a leaving group in an alkyl halide when an electron-rich nucleophile attacks the carbon atom. The topic compares SN1 and SN2 mechanisms, including reaction conditions, substrate structure, solvent effects, nucleophile strength, carbocation formation and stereochemical changes, and distinguishes substitution from elimination.
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