Electrophiles

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How do Lewis acids act as electrophiles? Explain the concept of electrophiles.

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Lewis acids act as electrophiles because they are capable of accepting an electron pair. An electrophile is a chemical species that has a positive charge, making it attracted to electron-rich areas, such as the lone pairs on a Lewis base. Since Lewis acids lack electrons and have empty orbitals, they readily accept electrons from Lewis bases that are electron-rich, therefore acting as electrophiles in chemical reactions.