nucleophile

nucleophile Definition

nu·cleo·phile (no̵̅o̅′klē ə fīl′, nyo̵̅o̅′-)

noun

an atom or molecule that has an affinity for atomic nuclei or that donates electrons to form a covalent bond

Etymology: nucleo- + -phile

nucleophile Related Forms

nu′·cleo·phil′ic (--fil′ik) adjective

nucleophile Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

good: That means that the primary amine is going to be a better nucleophile than ammonia is.

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