Hello,

In the addition of water to an alkene (e.g. ethylene) what is the electrophile?

Well I thought its the hydrogen cation from the water. Since electrophiles are electron poor molecules, having a tendency for more electrons.

But then it asks what nucleophile is present in the greatest concentration.

Well the only nucleophile i can think of is OH- if I am correct...or is the alkene itself a nucleophile. I am really getting confused, any help is appreciated.

I think this will answer your question. Note that "Do not use OH^- as the nucleophile."

http://chemistry2.csudh.edu/rpendarvis/AlkeneAddn.html

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In the addition of water to an alkene, the electrophile is indeed the hydrogen cation (H+) from water. Electrophiles are defined as electron-deficient species that have a tendency to accept electrons. In this case, the hydrogen cation is attracted to the double bond of the alkene, which is rich in electrons, and acts as an electrophile in this reaction.

As for the nucleophile present in the greatest concentration, it is indeed the hydroxide ion (OH-) that is present in water. A nucleophile is a species that has a tendency to donate electrons to form a new bond. In this case, the hydroxide ion (OH-) donates its lone pair of electrons to react with the electrophilic hydrogen cation (H+). This results in the formation of a new bond between the carbon atom of the alkene and the oxygen atom, leading to the formation of an alcohol.

To summarize, in the addition of water to an alkene, the hydrogen cation (H+) acts as the electrophile, and the hydroxide ion (OH-) is the nucleophile present in the greatest concentration. The alkene itself is not a nucleophile in this reaction, but rather acts as the electron-rich reactant that attracts the electrophile.