Inductive effect

In <a href="/facts/Organic_chemistry/djxhxaNg">Organic chemistry</a>, the inductive effect in a <a href="/facts/Molecule/N9ljSfFq">molecule</a> is a local change in the <a href="/facts/Electron_density/L5yDsk6j">electron density</a> due to <a href="/facts/Electron-withdrawing/GDzV1DXL">electron-withdrawing</a> or <a href="/facts/Electron-donating_group/GDzV1DXL">electron-donating groups</a> elsewhere in the molecule, resulting in a permanent <a href="/facts/Dipole/G1vRqruD">dipole</a> in a bond.
It is present in a <a href="/facts/Sigma_bond/CSyEe5CY">σ (sigma) bond</a>, unlike the <a href="/facts/Electromeric_effect/sRsQ7FCP">electromeric effect</a> which is present in a <a href="/facts/Pi_bond/3Q6LAGYK">π (pi) bond</a>.
The <a href="/facts/Halogen/YeFgWHeA">halogen</a> atoms in an <a href="/facts/Alkyl_halide/Enb7LQqt">alkyl halide</a> are electron withdrawing while the <a href="/facts/Alkyl/vmEk8X4v">alkyl</a> groups have electron donating tendencies. If the <a href="/facts/Electronegative/H7Vq7Uah">electronegative</a> atom (missing an electron, thus having a positive charge) is then joined to a <a href="/facts/Catenation/vm7k4zsv">chain of atoms</a>, typically <a href="/facts/Carbon/ukrgQexo">carbon</a>, the positive charge is relayed to the other atoms in the chain. This is the electron-withdrawing inductive effect, also known as the -I effect. In short, alkyl groups tend to donate electrons, leading to the +I effect. Its experimental basis is the <a href="/facts/Ionization_constant/t4YyRtKC">ionization constant</a>. It is distinct from and often opposite to the <a href="/facts/Mesomeric_effect/W8aLIlBw">mesomeric effect</a>.

Inductive effect open-in-new

Inductive effect