What is an EWG?
EWG Stands for the Electron-Withdrawing Group, which is a functional group that withdraws electrons from a molecule, making it less reactive and nucleophilic. The presence of an EWG in a molecule can also have several effects on its properties. For instance, it can decrease the acidity of the molecule by destabilizing the conjugate base through the delocalization of negative charge. EWGs can also decrease the basicity of the molecule by withdrawing lone pairs of electrons that can accept protons.
Some Examples of EWGs include:
- Nitro groups: These are groups that contain a nitrogen atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, such as nitro and nitroso groups.
- Carbonyl groups: These are groups that contain a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom, such as aldehydes, ketones, and esters.
Difference Between EDG And EWG
The EDG and EWG, both are electrophilic aromatic directing groups. And these are forms of substituents that we can find in organic compounds. If you’ve looked at a molecule’s structure, you might have noticed that some atoms are labeled with an “E” or “EWG” while others are labeled with an “E” or “EDG.” These abbreviations refer to electronic effects that can influence the reactivity and properties of a molecule. In this article, we will discuss the difference between EDG and EWG.