electrophilic

American

[ih-lek-truh-fil-ik] / ɪˌlɛk trəˈfɪl ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

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

electrophilic British

/ ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈfɪlɪk /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of electrophilic

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

electrophilic

Schmidt said this backup system may originally have evolved as a defense against electrophilic toxins.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 25, 2026

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 ● May 23, 2024

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023