Lewis acids and bases

[Sean Phen]

How do you classify a species as a Lewis acid or a Lewis base?

[Savana Maxfield 3F]

A Lewis acid accepts electrons, while a bases donates electrons!

[Sarah Hernandez 1F]

Lewis acids are molecules that would accept electron and Lewis bases are electron donors so as an example molecules that have negative charges are likely Lewis bases

[IreneGi2I]

Just to add, anions are rich in electrons so they donate their electrons (Anions are Lewis base)!

[Jessica Manriquez 1H]

Lewis acids are elements that accept an e- while bases are those that donate e-

[Andreas Krumbein 1L]

If it has the capacity to accept electrons, then its a lewis acid, and if it has the capacity to donate electrons, then it is a lewis base. Some things that can help to look out for are charges, so if it has a positive charge, it can accept electrons, and is an acid, but if it has a negative charge, then it can donate electrons and is a base.

[305614361]

A Lewis acid is any substance that can accept a pair of nonbonding electrons. It is an electron-pair acceptor
A Lewis base is any substance that can donate a pair of nonbonding electrons. It is an electron-pair donor. In other words, a lewis acid accepts and a lewis base donates.

[Ellison Gonzales 1H]

Do you have to draw the Lewis structure to tell if they’re an acid or a base?

[Katelyn_Ortega_1D]

Do you have to draw the Lewis structure to tell if they’re an acid or a base?

I do not believe so

[Kyla Villarama 1E]

Do you have to draw the Lewis structure to tell if they’re an acid or a base?

I don't think you need to but for me it's easier to draw one out to decide.

[Zach Richardson 2f]

I get the general rule, but how can we tell if a molecule can accept or donate electrons just by looking at the chemical formula?

[Geethika Janga 1L]

I get the general rule, but how can we tell if a molecule can accept or donate electrons just by looking at the chemical formula?

In this case, it is easier to draw out the Lewis structure of the molecule to visualize how the electrons are distributed. Then it will be clear which atom is accepting the electrons and which atom is donating the electrons.

[apurva-3E]

Acids accept electrons while bases donate them!

[Chenning Yang Dis3l]

Acids accept e- while bases are those that donate e-! Drawing out the lewis structure helps!

[Gabriel Nitro 1E]

Hi,

A Lewis acid accepts an electron pair, while a Lewis base donates an electron pair.

Hope this helps! :)

[Mia Meza]

Hey! I had the same question.
- Lewis acids accept an electron while Lewis Bases donate an electron.
- What helped me understand more was watching a youtube video about lewis acids and bases. Seeing different examples really helped. I suggest the organic chem tutor.

[Faith Lee 2L]

If you need a way to remember them, I think of acids as electron acceptors (both start with the letter "a"). On the other hand, bases are electron donators (a lowercase "b" is a lowercase "d," but flipped!).

[Ellison Gonzales 1H]

Just something good to keep in mind is that coordinate covalent bonds are usually formed when dealing with acids and bases

[Daniela Santana 2L]

Hi! A Lewis acid is defined as a species that accepts an electrons. An example of a Lewis acid is BF3 and H+. A Lewis base is defined as a species that donates electrons. An example of a Lewis base is NH3 and F-. Hope this helps :)

[Taha 2D]

A lewis acid is an electron acceptor while a lewis base is a donater.

[Anthony_Sandoval_1D]

Lewis acids accept electrons whereas lewis base donates electrons.

[Neel Sharma 3F]

Lewis acids are usually positive cations, molecules without completely filled octets, and overall any compound that can accept electrons. Lewis bases are usually anions and electron-rich molecules. Hope this helps!

[Dane_Beasley_1E]

A Lewis acid would accept electrons while a Lewis base would donate electrons.

[Lauren Mungo 1K]

A lewis acid accepts electrons while a lewis base donates electrons