| Nucleofuge | Nucleophile |
|---|---|---|
Definition | It is a leaving group that leaves a reactant (substrate) molecule by withdrawing the electron pair of the C-C bond and breaking it.
| Nucleophiles are electron-rich species that donate electron pair to electron-deficient species and forms a new C-C bond.
|
Nature | The nucleofuge can be neutral or negatively charged. Examples- H2O, NH3, CH3COO-, Br-.
| Nucleophiles can be neutral or negatively charged. Examples- HO-, -CN, H2C=CH2, AlH4-.
|
Reactions | Nucleofuges are formed in elimination and displacement reactions involving nucleophiles. | Nucleophiles take part in addition or displacement reactions alongside electrophiles, displacing a leaving group. |
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Basicity | Both are Lewis bases but leaving group is a weaker base than a nucleophile. The higher pKa values indicates worst of the leaving group ability to undergo bond cleavage. | Both are Lewis bases but nucleophile is a stronger base than a leaving group. |
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- Differences Between Nucleofuge and Nucleophile

