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

7183 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

The boiling points of ammonia (NH3), fluorine (F2) and bromine (Br2) are -33, -188 and +59 degrees celsius respectively. Explain the differences in these boiling points, including the names of any relevant forces and particles.


Describe, with the aid of diagrams, what hydrogen bonding is in water.


Give reasons for the increase in ionisation energy across a period in the table of elements.


Why do the boiling points of the hydrogen halides increase as you go down the group from HCl to HI?


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