Question

Pick out the electrophiles from the following
$ BF_3, NH_3, Me_3C^{\oplus} , HCl $

• A. $ BF_3 $ , and $ NH_3 $
• B. $ Me_{3}C^{\oplus} $ and $ HCl $
• C. $ BF_{3}$ and $Me_{3}C^{\oplus} $
• D. $ NH_3 $ and $ HCl $

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Electrophiles are electron defficient species. They may be Lewis acids (in which central atom has incomplete octet), cations or carbocations. Amongst the given species, $BF_3$ is a Lewis acid (as boron has incomplete octet) and $Me_3C^+$ is a carbocation. Thus, both acts as electrophiles.