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Ch.16 - Aqueous Equilibria: Acids & Bases
Chapter 16, Problem 14

For each of the Lewis acid–base reactions in Problem 16.138, draw electron-dot structures for the reactants and products, and use the curved arrow notation to represent the donation of a lone pair of electrons from the Lewis base to the Lewis acid.

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Identify the Lewis acid and Lewis base in the reaction. A Lewis acid is a species that can accept a pair of electrons, while a Lewis base is a species that can donate a pair of electrons.
Step 2: Draw the electron-dot structures (Lewis structures) for each reactant. Ensure that all valence electrons are represented, including lone pairs on atoms that can act as Lewis bases.
Step 3: Use curved arrow notation to show the movement of electrons. The arrow should start from the lone pair on the Lewis base and point towards the Lewis acid, indicating the donation of the electron pair.
Step 4: Draw the electron-dot structures for the products, showing the new bond formed between the Lewis acid and the Lewis base. Ensure that the octet rule is satisfied for each atom, if applicable.
Step 5: Verify that the overall charge and number of electrons are conserved in the reaction. Check that the electron pair donation results in a stable product configuration.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Lewis Acids and Bases

Lewis acids are substances that can accept an electron pair, while Lewis bases are those that can donate an electron pair. This definition expands the concept of acids and bases beyond protons, allowing for a broader range of chemical reactions. Understanding these roles is crucial for analyzing reactions where electron pair transfer occurs.
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Electron-Dot Structures

Electron-dot structures, or Lewis structures, visually represent the valence electrons of atoms within a molecule. They help illustrate how atoms bond and the arrangement of electrons, including lone pairs and bonding pairs. Drawing these structures is essential for understanding the interactions between Lewis acids and bases in a reaction.
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Curved Arrow Notation

Curved arrow notation is a method used in organic chemistry to depict the movement of electron pairs during chemical reactions. The tail of the arrow indicates the source of the electrons, while the head points to where the electrons are going. This notation is vital for illustrating the mechanism of Lewis acid-base reactions, showing how electron pairs are transferred.
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