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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is considered a Lewis acid?
A
NH3
B
H2O
C
CH4
D
BF3
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of a Lewis acid: A Lewis acid is a chemical species that can accept an electron pair. This is different from a Brønsted-Lowry acid, which donates a proton.
Identify the characteristics of the given molecules: NH3 (ammonia), H2O (water), CH4 (methane), and BF3 (boron trifluoride).
Analyze the electron configuration and structure of each molecule: NH3 has a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen, H2O has lone pairs on oxygen, CH4 is a saturated hydrocarbon with no lone pairs, and BF3 has an empty p-orbital on boron.
Determine which molecule can accept an electron pair: BF3 is electron-deficient because boron has only six electrons in its valence shell, making it capable of accepting an electron pair.
Conclude that BF3 is the Lewis acid among the options provided, as it can accept an electron pair due to its electron-deficient nature.