What is a difference between a nucleophile and a base in organic chemistry?

A nucleophile and a base are both nucleophilic that means they both have afinity for a electron poor target. Both nucleophile and base are electron rich, often have lone pair of electrons such as Oxygen and Nitrogen.

A nucleophile usually attacks electron poor atom, for example carbonyle atom, forms a new bond and forces another to bond to break, simply pushes out a leaving group. Typical nucleophile could be alcohol. On the other hand, base attacks an electron poor atom such as Hydrogen and binds with it, therefore takes it from the molecule that forms a carbanion. A typical base is for example triethylamine. 

Answered by Gabriela S. Chemistry tutor

6355 Views

See similar Chemistry IB tutors

Related Chemistry IB answers

All answers ▸

Explain why average bond enthalpies can be used for cyclohexane but not for benzene


Under which conditions does CH4 have the same number of molecules as 100cm^3 of O2 at 27 degrees celsius and 1.0x10^5 Pa?


What is a difference between gas and liquid and solid on a molecular level?


There are three halogenoalkanes with halogens F, Br and I. Each undergo an SN2 reaction. How does the rate of reaction differ between the three halogenoalkanes?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy