How do Lewis acids and bases differ from other acids and bases?

1 Answer
Mar 6, 2017

#"Lewis acids and bases"# do not necessarily exchange hydronium ions in aqueous (or other) solutions.............

Explanation:

#"Lewis acids and bases"# ACCEPT, and DONATE electron density, conceived to be in the form of a pair of electrons.

#AlCl_3(aq) + Cl^(-) rarr AlCl_4^-#

In terms of the definition, which is the Lewis acid, and which is the Lewis base in the given reaction. Of course, #AlCl_4^-# is a Lewis acid-base adduct.

We can draw on another example:

#NMe_3 + BMe_3 rarr Me_3N^(+)-""^(-)BMe_3#

Which is the Lewis-acid, and which is the base?