What are Lewis Acids and Bases? How do they differ? Let’s find out!

 

    In the Lewis theory of acid-base reactions, bases donate pairs of electrons and acids accept pairs of electrons.

 

     A LEWIS ACID is a substance, such as the H+ ion, that can accept a pair of nonbonding electrons. So, a Lewis acid is an electron-pair acceptor.

 

    A LEWIS BASE is any substance, such as the OH- ion, that can donate a pair of nonbonding electrons. So that Lewis base is an electron-pair donor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example:

The Aluminum ion is the metal and is a cation with an unfilled valence shell, and it is a  Lewis Acid. Water has lone-pair electrons and is an anion, is a Lewis Base.  

 

 

Another term that is connected to Lewis Acids and Bases:

Electrophilic- It happens in many of the reactions of compounds containing carbon-carbon double bonds.