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

7802 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why the element nickel has a high melting point


Describe and explain the trend of reactivity of group 2 metals with water


What happens to a primary secondary and tertiary alcohol when an excess solution of Potassium Dichromate is added under acidic conditions, state the chemical formula of potassium dichromate?


A chemist synthesised two solutions A and B, they know one solution is an aldehyde and the other a ketone. Suggest how the chemist could identify which is which and describe any observations they would make


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