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

7703 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why is Kekule's benzene structure an inaccurate representation of the molecule?


why does graphene conduct electricity?


What are isotopes?


What is the mechanism for the nucleophilic substitution of a halogenoalkane?


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