Question

Be sure to answer all parts. Part 1 out of 2 how many electrophilic centers are present in acetyl chloride (ch3cocl)?

Answer 1

Answer:

            There is One electrophilic center in acetyl chloride.

Explanation:

                    Electrophile is defined as any specie which is electron deficient and is in need of electrons to complete its electron density or octet. The main two types of electrophiles are those species which either contain positive charge (i.e. NO₂⁺, Cl⁺, Br⁺ e.t.c) or partial positive charge like that contained by the sp² hybridized carbon of acetyl chloride shown below in attached picture.

                    In acetyl chloride the partial positive charge on sp² hybridized carbon is generated due to its direct bonding to highly electronegative elements *with partial negative charge) like oxygen and chlorine, which tend to pull the electron density from carbon atom making it electron deficient and a good electrophile for incoming nucleophile as a center of attack.