What are the relative pKas of strong electrophiles vs. strong nucleophiles? Please explain the difference between...

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What are the relative pKas of strong electrophiles vs. strongnucleophiles? Please explain the difference between electrophilesand nucleophiles.

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A nucleophile provides a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond. It can be also seen as a Broensted base. Stronger the base (higher pKa for the acid/base couple), stronger the nucleophile, e.g. this series of nucleophilicity –NH2 > HO- > F-, but it not true for this series Cl- > F- or HS- > HO-.

In an acid/base couple, the base is always a stronger nucleophile.

For strong bases/nucleophiles, pKa>14.

                                                                                                            

An electrophile accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond. It can’t be identified as Broensted acid or base.


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