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

8260 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

A sample of hydrochloric acid has a pH of 2.34. 
Write an expression for pH and calculate the concentration of this acid.


Explain the variation of atomic radius along a period and along a group of the Periodic Table


What is an acid-base pair?


How would you determine the pH of a 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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning