1-40
Chemistry 121, Winter 2008, LA Tech
Lewis acid and bases
Lewis was successful in including acid and bases that catalyze organic reactions without proton or hydroxyl ions.
Lewis Acid: A substance that accepts an electron pair.
Lewis base: A substance that donates an electron pair.
E.g. BF3(g)     +    :NH3(g) ®     F3B:NH3(s)
     Lewis Acid    Lewis base     Lewis acid/base adduct
the Lewis base donates a pair of electrons to the acid forming a coordinate covalent bond common to coordination compounds. Lewis acids/bases will be discussed later in describing reaction mechanism