Meisenheimer complex

Definition

A Meisenheimer complex is an intermediate formed during the nucleophilic aromatic substitution process when a nucleophile attacks and temporarily bonds to an aromatic ring, resulting in a negatively charged complex. This intermediate is stabilized by electron-withdrawing groups attached to the aromatic system.

Related terms

Nucleophile: A chemical species that donates an electron pair to an electrophile to form a chemical bond.

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: A reaction mechanism in which an atom attached to an aromatic system is replaced by an electrophile, leaving the aromaticity intact.

Electron: Withdrawing Group - Groups that pull electron density away from other parts of a molecule, often stabilizing negative charges