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electrophilic

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

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

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Origin of electrophilic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM electrophilic

e·lec·tro·phil·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby electrophilic

electro-organic chemistry, electro-osmosis, electropalatography, electropherogram, electrophile, electrophilic, electrophone, electrophorese, electrophoresis, electrophorus, electrophotography
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

British Dictionary definitions for electrophilic

electrophilic
/ (ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈfɪlɪk) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of electrophilic

electrophile (ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌfaɪl), noun
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
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