electrophilic

[ ih-lek-truh-fil-ik ]

/ ɪˌlɛk trəˈfɪl ɪk /

adjective Chemistry.

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

Nearby words

electronystagmography, electrooculogram, electropalatography, electropherogram, electrophile, electrophilic, electrophone, electrophorese, electrophoresis, electrophorus, electrophotography

Origin of electrophilic

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

Related forms

e·lec·tro·phil·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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

electrophile (ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌfaɪl), noun

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