InterviewSolution
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InterviewSolution
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Classify the following species into Lewis acids and bases and show how these act as such: (i) `BCl_3` (ii) `H^(+)` (iii) `F^(-)` (iv) `HO^(-)` |
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Answer» Strategy: A Lewis acid is any species that can accept a share in an electron pair while a Lewis base in any species that can make available or donate a share in an electron pair. Solution: (i) `BCl_3` acts as a Lewis acid because the central B atom has incomplete octet and, therefore, can accept a lone pair of electrons from species like ammonia or amine molecules. (ii) A proton is a Lewis acid as it can form an H atom by accepting a lone pair of electrons from species like hydroxide ion and fluoride ion. (iii) Fluoride ion acts as a Lewis base as it can donate any one of its four lone pairs of electrons. (iv) Hydroxide ion is a Lewis base as it can donate any one of its three lone pairs of electrons. |
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