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Inductive effect
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The inductive effect is the influence of a substituent on the reactivity of a nearby atom or group of atoms. The inductive effect is caused by the permanent polarization of the sigma bond between the substituent and the atom or group of atoms it is attached to. This polarization is caused by the difference in electronegativity between the substituent and the atom or group of atoms it is attached to. If the substituent is more electronegative than the atom or group of atoms it is attached to, it will withdraw electron density from the atom or group of atoms, making it more positive. This is known as an inductive electron-withdrawing effect. If the substituent is less electronegative than the atom or group of atoms it is attached to, it will donate electron density to the atom or group of atoms, making it more negative. This is known as an inductive electron-donating effect. The inductive effect can be used to predict the reactivity of a molecule. For example, a molecule with an electron-withdrawing substituent will be less reactive than a molecule with an electron-donating substituent.
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