Which of the following is not an electrophile?

Which of the following is not an electrophile?
  1. $\mathrm{CN}^{-}$
  2. $\mathrm{BF}_3$
  3. $\mathrm{NO}_2^{+}$
  4. $\mathrm{AlCl}_3$

Solution

Electrophile is a species that forms bonds with nucleophiles by accepting an electron pair, because electrophiles accept electrons, they are Lewis acids. $\mathrm{CN}^{-}$is nucleophile, which is electron rich in nature and electrophile is electron deficient in nature and contain positive charge. $\mathrm{BF}_3=$ Neutral electrophile or Lewis acid (electron deficient) $\mathrm{NO}_2^{+}=$Electrophile $\mathrm{AlCl}_3=$ Electrophile (electron deficient) Hence, only $\mathrm{CN}^{-}$is not an electrophile.

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2021 (25 Aug Shift 2)

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