electrophilic

[ ih-lek-truh-fil-ik ]

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

Origin of electrophilic

1
First recorded in 1940–45; electr(on) + -o- + -philic

Other words from electrophilic

  • e·lec·tro·phil·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby electrophilic

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British Dictionary definitions for electrophilic

electrophilic

/ (ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈfɪlɪk) /


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 of electrophilic

  • electrophile (ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌfaɪl), noun

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