| Electrophile | Nucleophile |
| An electrophile is an electron-deficient species that is attracted to electrons. | A nucleophile is an electron-rich species that is attracted to nuclei.
|
| An electrophile is a Lewis acid. | Nucleophile is a Lewis base. |
| An electrophile is an electron acceptor. | Nucleophile is an electron donor. |
| An electrophile is an attacking species in a chemical reaction. | Nucleophile is a reacting species in a chemical reaction. |
| An electrophile is attracted to a positively charged species. | Nucleophile is attracted to a negatively charged species.
|
| +CH3, AlCl3, BF3 are example of electrophile. | –CH3, H2O, NH3 are example of nucleophile. |