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

8033 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?


Explain how nucleophilic substitution for a haloalkane actually occurs?


Why do we use the n+1 rule in proton NMR?


Calculate the PH of 32 mmol of HCl in 75cm^3 solution. Assume HCl fully dissociates.


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