What's the difference between an electrophile and a nucleophile?

It's really useful to know that 'phile' means love.

Electrophiles 'love' negative charge - this means they are attracted to regions of negative charge. And as such they tend to be positively charged.

Similarily Nucleophiles 'love' positive charge, so they tend to be negatively charged and will seek out postively charged regions.

SM
Answered by Sophie M. Chemistry tutor

7537 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do first ionisation energies decrease down a group?


Why do I have to learn about electron shells.


Please can you explain E/Z isomers?


A buffer solution was formed by mixing 20.0 cm^3 of sodium hydroxide solution of concentration 0.100 mol dm^–3 with 25.0 cm^3 of ethanoic acid of concentration 0.150 mol dm^–3. CH3COOH + NaOH---CH3COONa + H2O Calculate the pH of this buffer solution.


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning