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Lewis Acid and Base quiz

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Terms in this set (15)

  • Who proposed the Lewis acid-base definition in the 1920s?
    Gilbert Lewis proposed the Lewis acid-base definition in the 1920s.
  • What is a Lewis acid according to Lewis's definition?
    A Lewis acid is an electron pair acceptor.
  • What is a Lewis base according to Lewis's definition?
    A Lewis base is an electron pair donor.
  • When does hydrogen act as a Lewis acid?
    Hydrogen acts as a Lewis acid when it is single bonded to a highly electronegative element like O, N, S, P, or a halogen.
  • Why is hydrogen partially positive when bonded to electronegative elements?
    Hydrogen is less electronegative, so it becomes partially positive when bonded to more electronegative elements.
  • What type of charge does a Lewis acid typically have?
    A Lewis acid often has a positive or partially positive charge.
  • How do metals act as Lewis acids?
    Metals act as Lewis acids when they are positively charged and can accept electrons.
  • What is the significance of the octet rule in identifying Lewis acids?
    Central elements with less than 8 valence electrons can act as Lewis acids because they can accept more electrons.
  • Which groups of elements commonly act as Lewis acids due to having less than 8 valence electrons?
    Group 2A, 3A elements, and transition metals often act as Lewis acids when they are central atoms.
  • Why can boron trifluoride (BF3) act as a Lewis acid?
    Boron in BF3 has only 6 valence electrons and can accept an electron pair to reach the octet.
  • What makes a compound a Lewis base?
    A compound is a Lewis base if it has lone pairs of electrons or a negative charge.
  • Why do compounds with a negative charge act as Lewis bases?
    A negative charge means the compound has excess electrons, making it able to donate electron pairs.
  • What is required for a molecule to be an electron pair donor?
    The molecule must have lone pairs and/or a negative charge to donate electron pairs.
  • How does the Lewis acid-base theory differ from other acid-base theories?
    The Lewis theory focuses on electron pair transfer, while other theories focus on proton transfer.
  • Why is the Lewis acid-base theory important in organic chemistry?
    Organic chemistry predominantly involves reactions of Lewis acids and bases, making this theory essential.