Nucleophile

In chemistry, a nucleophile is a species – typically a molecule or ion – that donates an electron pair to establish a new chemical bond. These electron-rich entities are fundamentally considered Lewis bases due to their ability to donate electrons. Nucleophiles are strongly attracted to regions of positive charge or electron deficiency, commonly referred to as electrophiles. This attraction drives the formation of new bonds, playing a crucial role in a wide range of chemical reactions, including substitution and addition processes. Understanding nucleophilic behaviour is central to comprehending many fundamental concepts in organic chemistry and reaction mechanisms.