[Sandra]

I have been reading quite a bit about 1,4-benzoquinone and it has been labeled as an electrophile everywhere I read. By looking at the structure of 1,4-benzoquinone it is not very obvious to me why it would be considered an electrophile. I am aware of the definition of an electrophile, but I still don't see how 1,4-benzoquinone is an electrophile.

sandra

[adam]

Hi, looking the structure the molecule is multifunctional.

-Ketone (reacts with hard nucleophiles)
-alkene with a electron withdrawing group (the ketone), reacts with soft nucleophiles.

-also is an oxidant, and is commonly used to reoxidize Pd (0) to Pd (II), in Pd (II) catalyze 1,4 additions of Nucleophiles to 1,3 diienes.

Hope it helps.

Adam.