See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Identifying Electrophiles **Definition:** An electrophile is a species that accepts electron pairs; it is electron-deficient and attracted to regions of high electron density. ## Analysis of each species: **(1) $RNH_2$** — Primary amine - Nitrogen has a lone pair of electrons - Acts as a **nucleophile**, not an electrophile **(2) $SO_3$** — Sulfur trioxide - Sulfur has only 6 valence electrons (electron-deficient) - No octet completion; empty p-orbitals available - **Electrophile** ✓ **(3) $NO_3^{\ominus}$** — Nitrate anion - Negatively charged; electron-rich - Acts as a **nucleophile/base**, not an electrophile **(4) $ROH$** — Alcohol - Oxygen has lone pairs - Acts as a **nucleophile**, not an electrophile ## Answer: **Option (2): $SO_3$** is the electrophile because it is electron-deficient with an incomplete octet, making it susceptible to nucleophilic attack.