What is the definition of an electrophile?

An electrophile is defined as an electron pair acceptor in chemical reactions. This means it has a tendency to seek out electron-rich species, often called nucleophiles, and can readily accept electron pairs from them. Electrophiles are typically positively charged or neutral molecules that are deficient in electrons, making them attractive to electron-rich sites in other molecules.

In organic chemistry, common examples of electrophiles include cations like carbocations, as well as other molecules that contain polar bonds, such as carbonyl compounds, where the carbon atom has a partial positive charge and can accept electron pairs.

This definition is essential when understanding reaction mechanisms, especially in processes such as nucleophilic substitutions and additions, where the interaction between nucleophiles and electrophiles drives the reaction forward. Knowing the role of electrophiles helps make sense of many biochemical processes, including enzyme catalysis and metabolic pathways.