Nucleophilic Substitution
- Who attacks: Nucleophile (electron-rich).
- Where it attacks: Carbon with a leaving group (electron-poor).
- Example: OH⁻ replaces Cl in CH₃Cl → CH₃OH.
- Think: “Nucleophile loves positive carbon.”
Electrophilic Substitution
- Who attacks: Electrophile (electron-poor).
- Where it attacks: Electron-rich part of a molecule (often benzene).
- Example: NO₂⁺ replaces H on benzene → nitrobenzene.
- Think: “Electrophile loves electron-rich area.”
Easy trick:
- Nuc → attacks carbon
- Electro → attacks electrons (aromatic rings)