Question

Identify the Lewis acid and Lewis base from among the reactants in each of the following equations.

Part A
Ag+(aq)+2NH3(aq)⇌Ag(NH3)2+(aq)
a. Ag+ is the Lewis acid and NH3 is the Lewis base.
b. Ag+ is the Lewis base and NH3 is the Lewis acid.
Part B
AlBr3+NH3⇌H3NAlBr3
a. AlBr3 is the Lewis base and NH3 is the Lewis acid.
b. AlBr3 is the Lewis acid and NH3 is the Lewis base.
Part C
Cl−(aq)+AlCl3(aq)⇌AlCl4−(aq)
a. AlCl3 is the Lewis acid and Cl− is the Lewis base.
b. AlCl3 is the Lewis base and Cl− is the Lewis acid.

Answer 1

Part A

Ag+ is the Lewis acid and NH3 is the Lewis base.

Part B

AlBr3 is the Lewis acid and NH3 is the Lewis base.

Part C

AlCl3 is the Lewis acid and Cl− is the Lewis base.

Step-by-step explanation:

A Lewis acid is any specie that accepts a lone pair of electrons. Ag^+, AlBr3 and AlCl3 all accepted lone pairs of electrons according to the three chemical reaction equations shown. Hence, they are Lewis acids.

A Lewis base donates a lone pair of electrons. They include neutral molecules having lone pair of electrons such as NH3 or negative ions such as Cl- .