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

8134 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

i)Explain why first ionisation energy shows a general tendency to increase across a period? ii)Using period 3 as an example, which elements show irregularities in this trend and why?


How does Le Chatelier's Principle allow you to predict the change of the position of equilibrium for an equilibrium reaction?


For the reaction 2H2 + O2 -- 2H2O, how do I give an equation for the equilibrium constant in terms of the concentrations of products and reactants involved?


Why are complex ions containing transition elements coloured?


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