Which is the electrophilic site in the molecule (CH3)2C=O?
A. CH3 carbon
B. CH3 hydrogen
C. C=O carbon
D. C=O oxygen
I think the answer is D. because oxygen is electronegative and wants to hog electrons this making it electrophilic. Is this correct?
yes, "hog" is a strong word unless you are in Univ of Arkansas.
Your reasoning is partially correct, but the answer is actually C. C=O carbon. Let me explain why.
In the molecule (CH3)2C=O, the carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom is sp2 hybridized. The oxygen atom is more electronegative than carbon and exerts a strong electron-withdrawing effect, pulling electron density away from the carbon atom.
As a result, the carbon atom becomes electron-deficient or electron-poor, making it electrophilic. This is because it has a partial positive charge due to the shift of electron density towards the oxygen atom.
On the other hand, the oxygen atom is more electronegative than carbon and has a greater affinity for electrons. It is therefore nucleophilic or electron-rich, rather than electrophilic.
Therefore, the electrophilic site in the molecule (CH3)2C=O is the C=O carbon, as it is electron-deficient and tends to attract or accept electrons in an organic reaction.