A chemical species or reactive group that donates an electron pair to form a new covalent bond. In serine-dependent hydrolysis, an activated oxygen can attack a carbonyl carbon.
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A nucleophile is a chemical species that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond in a reaction. The term "nucleophile" is derived from "nucleus-loving," as nucleophiles are attracted to positively charged or electron-deficient regions in other molecules, often referred to as electrophiles. Nucleophiles are characterized by their electron-rich nature, which allows them to participate in nucleophilic attacks.