CH\(_3\)CH\(_2\)Cl + KCN → CH\(_3\)CH\(_2\)CN + KCl
In the reaction above, the cyanide is
- hydrophobic
- hydrophilic
-
nucleophilic
- electrophilic
The correct answer is: C
Explanation
A nucleophile is considered an electron donating species, meaning it readily donates an electron pair to form a bond with another molecule, typically an electrophile, in a chemical reaction; essentially acting as a Lewis base.
CN\(^-\) (cyanide ion) is considered a nucleophile. This is because it has a negative charge and a lone pair of electrons that it can donate to form a bond with a positively charged species, making it an electron-rich species characteristic of nucleophile.
Conversely, an electrophile is a chemical species that forms bonds with nucleophiles by accepting an electron pair. Because electrophiles accept electrons, they are Lewis acids.