What is nucleophile?

A nucleophile is a species which can donate a lone pair of electrons to an electron deficient species, known as an electrophile. By doing this, a chemical bond is formed.An example of a reaction involving a nucleophile would by nucleophilic substitution. As the nucleophile attacks to form a bond, a leaving group departs, with the breaking of a bond.Nucleophiles often have lone pairs or double bonds. Some good examples of nucleophiles are water, ammonia, the hydroxide ion and the thiocyanate ion.

CS

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is a mole?


What is Ionisation Energy and the three factors that affect it? 2)State and explain the general trend in first ionisation energies for the Period 3 elements.


Explain why Silicon Dioxide has a higher melting point than Sulfur Trioxide.


Calculate the empirical and molecular formula of the molecule giving rise to the molecular ion peak at 148 m/z. The percentage composition by weight is 64.80 % carbon, 13.62 % hydrogen, and 21.58 % oxygen