An electrophile accepts an electron pair in forming a bond. Reaction selectivity depends on both the electrophile and its interacting nucleophile.
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An electrophile is a species that is electron-deficient and can accept an electron pair from a nucleophile during a chemical reaction. Electrophiles are typically positively charged or neutral molecules with polar bonds that make them susceptible to nucleophilic attack. In organic chemistry, common examples of electrophiles include carbocations, carbonyl compounds, and halogenated compounds. In general, electrophiles play a crucial role in various reactions, including addition reactions, substitution reactions, and more.