Nucleophilic aromatic substitution

Definition

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution is a reaction where an electron-rich nucleophile selectively replaces a leaving group, such as a halide, attached to an aromatic ring. This process contrasts with electrophilic aromatic substitution by involving the attack of a nucleophile instead of an electrophile.

Related terms

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution:

A chemical reaction in which an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on an aromatic ring.

Nucleophile:

A species that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond in reaction.

Leaving Group:

A molecular fragment that departs with a pair of electrons in heterolytic bond cleavage