Chapter 6: Q. 5 P (page 159)

An electrostatic potential map of boron trifluoride is shown. Is ${BF}_{3}$ likely to be a nucleophile or an electrophile? Draw a Lewis structure for ${BF}_{3}$ , and explain your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified

${BF}_{3}$ acts as an electrophile.

Step by step solution

Electrophiles and nucleophiles

Electrophiles are positively charged species that attack the electron-rich center.

For example, ${BF}_{3}$ , $H_{3} O^{+}$ , and ${AlCl}_{3}$

Nucleophiles are the electron-rich centers or negatively charged species that attack electron-deficient centers.

Neutral molecules containing lone pair of an electron can also act as a nucleophile. For example, ${Cl}^{-}$ , $I^{-}$ , ${NH}_{3}$ , etc.

BF3 as an electrophile

In ${BF}_{3}$ , boron has three electron couples with three electrons of fluorine. So in ${BF}_{3}$ , boron has six electrons in its outer shell which indicates that the octet is not complete. Since ${BF}_{3}$ has a vacant p-orbital, ${BF}_{3}$ can accept electrons in its vacant p-orbital. Therefore ${BF}_{3}$ act as an electrophile.

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An electrostatic potential map of boron trifluoride is shown. Is ${BF}_{3}$ likely to be a nucleophile or an electrophile? Draw a Lewis structure for ${BF}_{3}$ , and explain your answer.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Electrophiles and nucleophiles

BF3 as an electrophile

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An electrostatic potential map of boron trifluoride is shown. Is BF3likely to be a nucleophile or an electrophile? Draw a Lewis structure for BF3, and explain your answer.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Electrophiles and nucleophiles

BF3 as an electrophile

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Chemical Analysis

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The Earths Atmosphere

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Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

An electrostatic potential map of boron trifluoride is shown. Is ${BF}_{3}$ likely to be a nucleophile or an electrophile? Draw a Lewis structure for ${BF}_{3}$ , and explain your answer.