electrophilic

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

adjective Chemistry.

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

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

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

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 acceptors Compare nucleophilic

Derived forms of electrophilic

electrophile (ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌfaɪl), noun