See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Identifying the Electrophile **Definition:** An electrophile is a species that accepts electron pairs (Lewis acid) and is attracted to regions of high electron density. **Analysis of each option:** **(A) $H_2O$** - Oxygen is electronegative; the molecule has lone pairs - Acts as a nucleophile, not an electrophile **(B) $NH_3$** - Nitrogen has a lone pair - Acts as a nucleophile/Lewis base, not an electrophile **(C) $AlCl_3$ ✓** - Aluminum has only 6 electrons in its valence shell (incomplete octet) - Highly deficient in electrons; strong Lewis acid - Readily accepts electron pairs from nucleophiles - Acts as a powerful electrophile in organic reactions (e.g., Friedel-Crafts reactions) **(D) $C_2H_5NH_2$** - Nitrogen has a lone pair - Acts as a nucleophile/base, not an electrophile **Answer: (C)** $AlCl_3$ is the electrophile because aluminum's electron deficiency makes it an excellent electron pair acceptor, characteristic of strong electrophiles used in aromatic substitution reactions.