Difference between Nucleophile and Electrophile

[UIC]

Can someone explain to me the difference?

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[venacontracta]

Nucleophiles are areas/compounds which are sources of electron density

Electrophiles are areas/compounds which are deficient in electron density

A huge amount of organic chemistry can be summed up by nucleophiles looking for and attacking electrophiles

 

[Hemichordate]

By the way, why is addition of HX to an alkene called electrophilic addition? The alkene pi-bond seems to act like a nucleophile since it has a high electron density.

 

[aidama]

By the way, why is addition of HX to an alkene called electrophilic addition? The alkene pi-bond seems to act like a nucleophile since it has a high electron density.

Because H+ is the electrophile and X- is your nucleophile, by definition. That would be why it's called electrophilic addition (you're adding the electrophile to break the C=C). Most everything is defined by what the reagents do to the compound.

Also it's easier to think of Organic as electron movement. Generally a nucleophile donates its electrons, while an electrophile wants electrons really really badly. H+ isn't the happiest camper in this whole situation.