To be a little more technical, the negative molecules are called nucleophiles and the negative spots are called nucleophilic sites. Nuclei are positively charged and “philic” means “lover of”. Opposites attract, so negative things love positive things; they’re nucleophilic. Positive molecules are called electrophiles. Positive spots are called electrophilic sites. Electrons are negatively charged, so electrophiles are lovers of negative things. Negative things are called nucleophiles, positive things are called electrophiles.
4. Circle the appropriate word in each of the following sentences. a) Negatively charged molecules are called (electrophiles/nucleophiles). b) Positively charged molecules are called (electrophiles/nucleophiles). c) A molecule that is attacked by a negatively charged molecule is called a(n) (electrophile/nucleophile).
4. a) Nucleophiles b) Electrophiles c) Electrophiles