Heterolytic Fission
Heterolytic fission
- Heterolytic fission is breaking a covalent bond in such a way that the more electronegative atom takes both the electrons from the bond to form a negative ion and leaves behind a positive ion
Diagram to show the process of heterolytic fission
Heterolytic fission forms a positive ion and a negative ion
- In heterolytic fission, a double-headed arrow is used to show the movement of a pair of electrons
- The resulting negative ion is an electron-rich species that can donate a pair of electrons
- This makes the negative ion a nucleophile
- The resulting positive ion is an electron-deficient species that can accept a pair of electrons
- This makes the positive ion an electrophile
Heterolytic fission mechanism
- The opposite reaction to heterolytic fission occurs when a nucleophile donates a pair of electrons to the electrophile forming a coordination bond
Reaction between a nucleophile and an electrophile forming a coordination bond
A nucleophile ‘loves’ a positive charge and an electrophile ‘loves’ a negative charge
