Which of the following species is not electrophilic in nature? (a) Cl⁺ (b) BH₃ (c) H₃O⁺ (d) ⁺NO₂

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Q. Which of the following species is not electrophilic in nature?

(a) Cl⁺

(b) BH₃

(d) ⁺NO₂

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Step 1. $Cl^+$ , $H_3O^+$ and $^+NO_2$ are all explicitly catalogued in this unit as positively-charged electrophiles -- $H_3O^+$ (oxonium) is listed directly, $^+NO_2$ (nitronium) is the electrophile that performs nitration, and $Cl^+$ -type halogen electrophiles are the standard initiators of electrophilic halogenation. Each is a genuinely electron-seeking cationic species.

Step 2. $BH_3$ is electron-deficient at boron (only six electrons around it) and is a Lewis acid, but the chapter's own list of neutral electrophiles names $CO_2$ , $:CCl_2$ , $AlCl_3$ , $BF_3$ and $FeCl_3$ -- not $BH_3$ . In its characteristic organic chemistry -- hydroboration and related reductions -- $BH_3$ behaves as a hydride-transfer (reducing) agent, effectively deli …

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Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL3 marks
$Q. Differentiate Nucleophile and Electrophile.$
›Reveal solutionSolution

A nucleophile is electron-rich and donates an electron pair to a bond; an electrophile is electron-deficient and accepts an electron pair — they are complementary reactive species.

Nucleophile ("nucleus-loving"): a chemical species that is electron-rich, possessing either a lone pair of electrons or a full negative charge (or a region of high electron density, such as a pi bond), which it can DONATE to form a new covalent bond. Because it seeks out a positively charged or electron-deficient centre, nucleophiles attack electrophilic (electron-poor) sites. Examples: OH-, CN-, Cl-, NH3, H2O, alkenes (C=C pi bonds can also act as nucleophiles). Nucleophiles are Lewis bases.

Electrophile ("electron-loving"): a chemical species that is electron-deficient, either bearing a positive charge or having an incomplete octet / empty orbital, which makes it seek out and ACCEPT an electron pair from elsewhere to form a new bond. Electrophiles attack nucleophilic (electron-rich) sites. Examples: H+, carbocations (R3C+), NO2+ (nitronium ion), BF3, AlCl3 (Lewis acids with an incomplete octet on the central atom). Electrophiles are Lewis acids.

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CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL3 marks
$Q. Give any three differences between nucleophiles and electrophiles.$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Nucleophiles and electrophiles are opposite in their electronic behaviour: a nucleophile is electron-rich and donates an electron pair to form a new bond, while an electrophile is electron-deficient and accepts an electron pair.

Three key differences:

Nature/electron count: A nucleophile ('nucleus-loving') is a species that is rich in electrons — it may be neutral with a lone pair, or negatively charged. An electrophile ('electron-loving') is a species that is deficient in electrons — it may be neutral with an incomplete octet, or positively charged.

Role in bond formation: A nucleophile DONATES an electron pair to form a new covalent bond with an electron-deficient centre. An electrophile ACCEPTS an electron pair from an electron-rich centre to form the new bond.

Examples: Common nucleophiles include OH-, CN-, NH3, H2O, alkoxide ions (RO-), and halide ions (Cl-, Br-) — species with a lone pair or negative charge to donate. Common electrophiles include H+, NO2+ (nitronium ion), carbocations (R+), and Lewis acids such as AlCl3 or BF3 — species that are positively charged or have an incomplete octet. …
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Q.Which of the following species is not electrophilic in nature?

Concept understanding — Nucleophiles and Electrophiles

Q.Which of the following species is not electrophilic in nature?

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