In nucleophilic substitution a nucleophile (such as OH-) attacks a polar C-X bond and the attacking nucleophile replaces the -X group which leaves as X-
The most common form is the substitution of OH- nucleophile for halide ions in the hydrolysis of Alkyl halides
eg R - Cl + OH-
![Rightwards Arrow](https://biology-forums.com/Smileys/default/27a1.png)
R -OH + Cl-
Nucleophilic addition involves the nucleophile attacking an electron deficient site on a polar double or triple bond. This occurs when the bond attacked is markedly polar such as the C=O bond in an aldehyde or ketone and the nucleophile can add on to the carbon atom with a partial positive charge producing a carbanion (the O atom then has negative charge) and an electrophile can add on to the O atom subsequently. This is 1,2 nucleophilic addition.
Other groups which undergo nucleophilic addition are nitriles and imines which also have a significant charge separation across the bond.
Non polar double bonds do not undergo nucleophilic addition but those with very electronegative groups attached to one C atom may.