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

7696 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How to we increase the rate of a reaction?


Define ferromagnetism, paramagnetism and diamagnetism, and determine whether the following complexes a) AgCl b) [Fe(CN)6]4- c) [Mn(CN)6]4- d) Co(H2O)6Cl2 are ferromagnetic, diamagnetic or paramagnetic giving a full justification for your reasoning.


What is the standard enthalpy change of formation and how does it differ from the standard enthalpy change of reaction?


An alcohol, X has an Mr of 74 and percentage composition of 64.9% Carbon, 13.5% Hydrogen and 21.6% Oxygen. It does not turn potassium dichromate (VI) green. Determine the structural formula of X, and state its name.


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