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

6916 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What does ‘aromatic’ mean?


How does HBr add across a double bond? Predict the regiochemistry when HBr is reacted with 2-methylpropene


State and explain the trend in atomic radius down a group of the periodic table


What is the difference between empirical and molecular formula?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences