electrophilicadj.
/ᵻˌlɛktrə(ʊ)ˈfɪlɪk/, U.S. /əˌlɛktrəˈfɪlɪk/, /iˌlɛktrəˈfɪlɪk/ Chemistry.
1. Of a molecule or group: having a tendency to gain electrons or to react at electron-rich sites. Contrasted with nucleophilic adj.
ΚΠ
1906 G. N. Lewis & P. Wheeler in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts & Sci. 41 430 The addition to any solvent of a better or a worse electrophile than itself respectively increases or decreases the electrophilic character of the solvent.
1964 J. W. Linnett Electronic Struct. Molecules vi. 92 The most common type of reagent that attacks an aromatic system is an electrophilic one.
2000 W. Cabri & R. Di Fabio From Bench to Market ii. 29 This reactivity can be explained in terms of the improved electrophilic character of the carbonyl group.
2. Of a reaction: brought about by an electrophile.
ΚΠ
1935 E. D. Hughes & C. K. Ingold in Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 245 According as this [sc. the substituting agent] is nucleophilic..or electrophilic..the reaction may be termed a ‘nucleophilic’ or ‘electrophilic’ substitution.
1977 J. March Adv. Org. Chem. (ed. 2) xi. 457 The initial step of electrophilic substitution involves attack by a positive ion on an aromatic ring.
1995 School Sci. Rev. June 69/1 Electrophilic attack on a benzene ring to form a carbocation..intermediate.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1906