What is a difference between a nucleophile and a base in organic chemistry?

A nucleophile and a base are both nucleophilic that means they both have afinity for a electron poor target. Both nucleophile and base are electron rich, often have lone pair of electrons such as Oxygen and Nitrogen.

A nucleophile usually attacks electron poor atom, for example carbonyle atom, forms a new bond and forces another to bond to break, simply pushes out a leaving group. Typical nucleophile could be alcohol. On the other hand, base attacks an electron poor atom such as Hydrogen and binds with it, therefore takes it from the molecule that forms a carbanion. A typical base is for example triethylamine. 

GS
Answered by Gabriela S. Chemistry tutor

7798 Views

See similar Chemistry IB tutors

Related Chemistry IB answers

All answers ▸

Why is zinc not considered a transition metal?


How are Van der Waals interactions formed between molecules?


Why is the boiling point of PH3 lower than that of NH3?


Why a sodium ion has a smaller radius than a sodium atom?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning