nucleophilic

adjective

nu·​cle·​o·​phil·​ic ˌnü-klē-ə-ˈfi-lik 

ˌnyü-

1

of an atom, ion, or molecule : having an affinity for atomic nuclei : being an electron donor

2

: involving a nucleophilic species

a nucleophilic reaction

compare electrophilic

nucleophilically

ˌnü-klē-ə-ˈfi-li-k(ə-)lē 

ˌnyü-

adverb

nucleophilicity

ˌnü-klē-ō-fi-ˈli-sə-tē 

ˌnyü-

noun

Examples of nucleophilic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It can be synthesized in a number of ways—Liu’s team has experimented with making it from various nucleophilic agents, solvents, and mechanical supports—but the key starting ingredients always include lithium sulfide (Li2S) and phosphorus sulfide (P2S5). —IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nucleophilic

• acidophilic
• dicarboxylic
• electrophilic
• tricarboxylic
• acrylic
• argillic
• benzylic
• cyrillic
• idyllic
• amphiphilic
• basophilic
• carboxylic

Medical Definition

nucleophilic

adjective

nu·​cleo·​phil·​ic ˌn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˈfil-ik 

1

of an atom, ion, or molecule : having an affinity for atomic nuclei : being an electron donor

2

: involving a nucleophilic species

a nucleophilic reaction

nucleophilically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

nucleophilicity

-klē-ō-fil-ˈis-ət-ē 

noun

plural nucleophilicities