elektrofiililtä
Elektrofiili, or electrophile, is a chemical species that attracts electrons and is capable of reacting with nucleophiles, which donate electron density. This concept is fundamental in organic chemistry, where the balance between electron-rich (nucleophilic) and electron-poor (electrophilic) centers dictates reaction pathways. Electrophiles are typically atoms or ions with a partial positive charge, a vacant orbital, or a high affinity for electrons. Common examples include carbonyl carbons, halogens in alkyl halides, protonating agents, and many metal‑activated complexes.
The behavior of an electrophile is characterized by its electrophilicity parameter, which quantifies the strength of
Electrophiles play a critical role in industrial synthesis, pharmaceutical development, and biochemical pathways. For instance, the
Related concepts include nucleophilicity, Lewis acids, and the Woodward–Hoffmann rules for pericyclic reactions. Further reading on