electrophilic

[ ih-lek-truh-fil-ik ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. of or relating to electron acceptance in covalent bonding ( nucleophilic ).

electrophilic

/ ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈfɪlɪk; ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌfaɪl /

adjective

1. chem having or involving an affinity for negative charge. Electrophilic reagents ( electrophiles ) are atoms, molecules, and ions that behave as electron acceptors Compare nucleophilic

Derived Forms

• electrophile, noun

Other Words From

• e·lectro·phili·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of electrophilic¹

First recorded in 1940–45; electr(on) + -o- + -philic

Example Sentences

Prof. Yoshida explains, "We developed a method for synthesizing stable o-bromobenzenethiol equivalents by bromothiolation of aryne intermediates with an appropriate hydrogen sulfide equivalent and an electrophilic brominating reagent, resulting in controlled reactivity at the sulfur atom which prevents subsequent additions with aryne intermediates."

From Science Daily

The researchers utilized potassium xanthate instead of hydrogen sulfide, owing to its better reactivity in aryne reactions and pentafluorophenyl bromide as an electrophilic brominating reagent.

From Science Daily

He showed that the two types of ion are both intermediates in electrophilic reactions, but in different ways.

From Nature

A similar partitioning of ortho/para versus meta pathways is well known in synthetic chemistry, and is widely exploited in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.

From Nature

G.D.S. thanks E. Sorensen for explaining electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.

From Nature