What is the Bronsted-Lowry acid and base theory?

1 Answer
Jun 9, 2016

Brønsted-Lowry acid is a proton donor. Brønsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor. .

Explanation:

Arrhenius' acid definition states it contains a hydrogen ion. Arrhenius base contains a hydroxide ion.
Brønsted and Lowry independently added to Arrhenius's definitions to account for bases that do not have the hydroxide ion, such as ammonia, #NH_3# . In a dissociation reaction with ammonia and water, ammonia accepts the hydrogen ion(proton) from water.
Brønsted-Lowry acid is a proton donor. Brønsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor.
#NH_3# +# H_2O# --> #NH_4 ^+# + #OH^-#

The Lewis acid is a lone pair acceptor. The Lewis base is the lone pair donor. If you look at the above equation, ammonia,#NH_3# has a lone pair on the nitrogen to donate to the acid.