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

8144 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

State in terms of its bonding why benzene is more stable than cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene:


How would you synthesise an carboxylic acid just from a primary haloalkane like bromoethane?


Why are complex ions containing transition elements coloured?


25cm3 of a 0.10moldm-3 solution of sodium hydroxide reacts exactly in a titration with 15cm3 HCl. What is the concentration of the hydrochloric acid?


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