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

7322 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Work out the shape of an SF6 molecule


Describe the perfect ionic model


Why does reacting a bromoalkane with ammonia result in a quaternary ammonium salt and not an amine?


explain why there is a decrease in first ionisation energy between elements phosphorus and sulfur


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning