Question

Pick out the electrophiles from the following
$B{F}_3,N{H}_3,M{e}_3{C}^{\oplus },HCl$

• A. $B{F}_3$ , and $N{H}_3$
• B. $M{e}_3{C}^{\oplus }$ and $HCl$
• C. $B{F}_3$ and $M{e}_3{C}^{\oplus }$
• D. $N{H}_3$ 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, $B{F}_3$ is a Lewis acid (as boron has incomplete octet) and $M{e}_3{C}^{+}$ is a carbocation. Thus, both acts as electrophiles.