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nucleophile
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nucleophile

chemistry
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History

nucleophile, in chemistry, an atom or molecule that in chemical reaction seeks a positive centre, such as the nucleus of an atom, because the nucleophile contains an electron pair available for bonding. Examples of nucleophiles are the halogen anions (I-, Cl-, Br-), the hydroxide ion (OH-), the cyanide ion (CN-), ammonia (NH3), and water. Compare electrophile.