Question

Identify the electrophilic site in the following molecule, CH_3CH_2NHCH_2CH_3. (A) H (B) N (C) CH_2 (D) CH_3 (E) there is no electrophilic site

Answer 1

In CH3CH2NHCH2CH3, the nitrogen atom could typically act as an electrophilic site due to its lone pair, but there is no evident electrophilic character within the molecule context, so the answer is (E) there is no electrophilic site.

Step-by-step explanation:

Identifying the electrophilic site in a molecule involves locating an atom or a part of the molecule that is electron-deficient and can accept electrons. In the molecule CH3CH2NHCH2CH3, the nitrogen (N) atom is the most likely electrophilic site. This is because nitrogen, with its lone pair of electrons, can form a dative bond by donating its electrons to a suitable electrophile. However, in the context of the given molecule, which lacks a strong electron-withdrawing group or a positive charge, there is no strongly electrophilic site in this molecule as the nitrogen is already bonded and not seeking additional bonding electrons. Therefore, the correct answer is (E) there is no electrophilic site.

Answer 2

(C) CH_2

Step-by-step explanation:

An electrophile is an atom that loves electron. For an atom to be able to pull electrons closer to itself, it must be electron deficient and with a partial positive charge.

From the structure give, N is a highly electronegative atom and it is a nucleophile. This implies it loves the nucleus which is positively charged.

The Carbon atom attached to it is an electrophile because it has a lower electronegativity thereby leaving a partial positive charge on it. Therefore, the carbon will be attracted to the nucleophile.