An atom or group that forms a bond to what is considered to be the main part of the substrate during a reaction. For example: the attacking nucleophile in a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1113 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)