Question 9 of 34beginner🔧 ApplyShort Answer2 marks

Identify the reagents shown in bold in the following equations as nucleophiles or electrophiles: (a) CH₃COOH + HO⁻ → CH₃COO⁻ + H₂O (b) CH₃COCH₃ + CN⁻ → (CH₃)₂C(CN)(OH) (c) C₆H₆ + CH₃CO⁺ → C₆H₅COCH₃

(a)
Answer

Nucleophile

(b)
Answer

Nucleophile

(c)
Answer

Electrophile

Explanation

Nucleophiles are species that have an unshared pair of electrons which can be donated, such as negatively charged ions like hydroxide (HO−\text{HO}^-) and cyanide (CN−\text{CN}^-). Electrophiles are species that can accept an electron pair, such as positively charged carbocations like CH3CO+\text{CH}_3\text{CO}^+.

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