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Lewis Acids and Bases definitions

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  • Lewis Acid
    An electron-deficient species capable of accepting a lone pair, often a cation, or a molecule with an incomplete octet or central atom with pi bonds.
  • Lewis Base
    A species with extra electrons, typically possessing lone pairs or a negative charge, able to donate an electron pair to another species.
  • Electron Pair
    A set of two electrons occupying the same orbital, often involved in bond formation or donation in acid-base reactions.
  • Lone Pair
    A non-bonding pair of electrons on an atom, frequently responsible for the reactivity of bases in electron donation.
  • Octet Rule
    A principle stating atoms tend to have eight electrons in their valence shell, driving their tendency to accept or donate electrons.
  • Cation
    A positively charged ion, often acting as an electron pair acceptor in acid-base interactions.
  • Adduct
    A product formed when an acid and base combine, resulting from the sharing of an electron pair between two species.
  • Nonmetal Oxide
    A compound consisting of a nonmetal and oxygen, often featuring a central atom with pi bonds capable of accepting electron pairs.
  • Pi Bond
    A type of covalent bond formed by sideways overlap of orbitals, often present in molecules that can act as electron pair acceptors.
  • Charge Redistribution
    A shift in electron density during acid-base reactions, causing changes in the formal charges of the reacting species.
  • Valence Electron
    An electron in the outermost shell of an atom, crucial for bond formation and chemical reactivity.
  • Hydronium Ion
    A positively charged species formed by the association of a proton with water, serving as a classic example of an electron pair acceptor.
  • Cyanide Ion
    A negatively charged species with a lone pair on carbon, commonly acting as an electron pair donor in reactions.
  • Hydroxide Ion
    A negatively charged ion with a lone pair on oxygen, frequently serving as a strong electron pair donor.
  • Methoxide Ion
    A negatively charged species derived from methanol, possessing a lone pair on oxygen for electron donation.