Bryn Mawr College - Organic Chemistry - EAS vs. NAS vs. Elimination/Addition Flow Chart

Are the reagents strongly electrophilic or stongly nucleophilic?
Generally Electrophilic reagents have some sort of strong acid involved (AlCl₃, NHO₃, etc.).
Strongly Nucleophiles involve some sort of strong base (NH₂, OH)

Electrophilic
Provided the ring is activated enough, this is probably an EAS reaction

Nucleophilic

Does the substrate have a good leaving group? (e.g. Br, Cl?)

No
None of the described reactions.

Yes

Does the substrate have one or more electrons withdrawing group ortho and or para to the leaving group?

Yes
The reaction is probably a Nucleophilic Substitution

No

Are the reaction conditions such that a very high temperature is being used?

Yes

No

Are the reagents strongly electrophilic or stongly nucleophilic? Generally Electrophilic reagents have some sort of strong acid involved (AlCl₃, NHO₃, etc.). Strongly Nucleophiles involve some sort of strong base (NH₂, OH)
Electrophilic Provided the ring is activated enough, this is probably an EAS reaction	Nucleophilic Does the substrate have a good leaving group? (e.g. Br, Cl?)
	No None of the described reactions.	Yes Does the substrate have one or more electrons withdrawing group ortho and or para to the leaving group?
		Yes The reaction is probably a Nucleophilic Substitution	No Are the reaction conditions such that a very high temperature is being used?
			Yes	No