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

Lewis acid are electron lone pair acceptor and Lewis bases are electron lone pair donar.

Hence:

Part A

a. Ag+ is the Lewis acid and NH3 is the Lewis base.   [NH3 has lone pair of electrons where as Ag+ has empty orbitals to accept the electron from NH3]

Part B

b. AlBr3 is the Lewis acid and NH3 is the Lewis base. [NH3 has lone pair of electrons where as AlBr3 has empty orbitals to accept the electron from NH3]

Part C

a. AlCl3 is the Lewis acid and Cl− is the Lewis base. [Cl- has lone pair of electrons where as AlCl3 has empty orbitals to accept the electron from NH3]