Electrophile Definition

Definition: An electrophile is an atom or molecule that accepts an electron pair to make a covalent bond.

Also Known As: Lewis acid

Examples: H⁺ is an electrophile. It can accept a pair of electrons from the Lewis base OH^- to form H₂O.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Electrophile Definition." ThoughtCo, Jun. 11, 2014, thoughtco.com/definition-of-electrophile-605076. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2014, June 11). Electrophile Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-electrophile-605076 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Electrophile Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-electrophile-605076 (accessed May 25, 2018).