nucleophilic

[ noo-klee-uh-fil-ik, nyoo- ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. of or relating to electron contribution in covalent bonding ( electrophilic ).

nucleophilic

/ ˌnjuːklɪəʊˈfɪlɪk /

adjective

1. chem having or involving an affinity for positive charge. Nucleophilic reagents ( nucleophiles ) are molecules, atoms, and ions that behave as electron donors Compare electrophilic

Other Words From

• nu·cle·o·phile [noo, -klee-, uh, -fahyl, nyoo, -], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nucleophilic¹

First recorded in 1930–35; nucleo- + -philic