Electrophile

File:Electrophilic addition of Br2.png

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

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.

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

Addition of halogens

C₂H₄ + Br₂ → BrCH₂CH₂Br

Electrophile Media

• Electrophilic addition of HCl.png

  Electrophilic addition of HCl

• Ade3 reaction.png

  scheme for a typical AdE3 process

• Ade2ip.png

  The mechanism of phenylpyopyne hcl addn

• Electrophilic reaction of sulfuric acid with ethene.png

  Electrophilic reaction of sulfuric acid with ethene

• 18 fig. 1.png

  Use of a chiral oxaziridine for asymmetric synthesis.