In organic chemistry, one of the foundational concepts is the distinction between nucleophiles and electrophiles, which helps explain how and why reactions occur. A nucleophile is a chemical species that is rich in electrons and seeks out positive or electron-deficient areas to donate its electron pair, typically through a lone pair or π bond. Common nucleophiles include hydroxide ions (OH⁻), ammonia (NH₃), and cyanide ions (CN⁻). On the other hand, an electrophile is electron-poor and tends to accept electron pairs from nucleophiles during a reaction. Electrophiles often carry a positive charge or have highly polarized bonds, such as hydrogen ions (H⁺), carbocations (R⁺), or the carbon in carbonyl groups (C=O). For example, in a classic SN2 reaction, the nucleophile hydroxide ion attacks the electrophilic carbon in methyl bromide (CH₃Br), displacing the bromide ion and forming methanol (CH₃OH). This interaction illustrates the basic principle that electron-rich nucleophiles are naturally drawn to electron-deficient electrophiles, driving the course of many organic reactions. Understanding this dynamic is essential for predicting reaction mechanisms and outcomes in organic synthesis.