How do you differentiate between free radical, nucleophile, electrophile, carbocation and carbanion?
1 Answer
Feb 28, 2017
As follows....
Explanation:
Free radicals are molecules that have an unpaired (lone) electron. This makes them very unstable, and they rapidly combine with other species that are trying to gain a valence electron.
Nucleophiles can donates a pair of electrons to an electrophile thereby forming a chemical bond.
Electrophiles have empty orbitals that are can attract electron pairs thereby forming chemical bonds.
Carbocations contain a carbon atom that has 3 bonds plus a positive charge. They tend to be unstable and therefore react readily.
Carbanions contain a carbon atom that has 3 bonds plus a formal negative charge.
