Polar reaction

Definition

A polar reaction in organic chemistry involves the movement of electrons between a nucleophile, a molecule or ion with a pair of electrons to donate, and an electrophile, an atom or molecule that accepts an electron pair. These reactions are characterized by the formation of new bonds through the interaction of partial positive and partial negative charges.

Related terms

Nucleophile:

An atom or molecule that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond in reaction.

Electrophile:

A reagent attracted to electrons that participates in a chemical reaction by accepting an electron pair from a nucleophile.

Bond formation: The process by which two atoms or groups of atoms become connected to each other in a molecule through the sharing or exchange of electrons