Electrophile

electron pair acceptor

In chemistry, an electrophile is a molecule or an atom that is happy to take electrons from another one. Many electrophiles have a positive charge. They are also called Lewis acids. Some examples of electrophiles are molecules where the atoms have a big difference in electronegativity, like HCl or a carbonyl, or also oxidizing agents.[1]

In this addition reaction, bromine (Br2) is the electrophile

Electrophiles get attacked by a nucleophile, which is the opposite kind of molecule. This happens for example in addition reactions.

Organic Chemistry

change

Addition of halogens

change

C2H4 + Br2 → BrCH2CH2Br

References

change
  1. "electrophile | chemistry | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2021-11-30.