Which of the following species are electrophilic?
(i) `BeCl_(2)`
(ii) `SnCl_(4)`
(iii) `Cr^(3+)`
(iv) `overset(+)NO_(2)`

Options

A. `(iii), (iv)`
B. `(i), (ii)`
C. `(i), (ii), (iii)`
D. `(i), (ii), (iii), (iv)`

Answer

D

Explanation

All are electrophile in nature. In `BeCl_(2)`, the central `Be` atom has incomplete octet, its bonded `Cl`'s are rarely nucleophilic. In `SnCl_(4)`, the centreal `Sn` atom can expand its octet, `Cr^(3)` has empty orbitals of lower enrgy. In `overset(+)NO_(2)` the positively charged `N` atom has incomplete octelt. Note that the electrophilic character completely masks the potential nucleophilic behaviour of the unshared pairs on the `O` atoms.