Nucleophiles and electrophiles

Question 1

What is a nucleophile?

Answer 1

An electron pair donor. They have an area of high electron density (negatively charged ions or molecules with a lone pair)

Hydroxide ions, :OH-
Water molecules, H2O:
Ammonia molecules, :NH3

Question 2

What is an electrophile?

Answer 2

An electron pair acceptor. They need an area of low electron density (positively charged ions, molecules without a full outer shell of electrons (AKA electron-deficient molecules), or molecules with a partial positive charge)