Lewis acids/bases

[kaela_losekoot_2A]

What makes Lewis acids and bases different from other acids and bases? Also, is there a rule for how large the molecules involved can be?

[005935518]

Lewis acids are electron pair acceptors while Bronsted acids are compounds that can donate a proton and Bronsted bases are proton acceptors. The Lewis definition is a more general/inclusive definition compared to the Bronsted one.

[C_Montemayor_3J]

Lewis acids and bases are important because of their concept — a Lewis acid can be any molecule that can accept a pair of nonbinding electrons, and vice versa, a Lewis base is any molecule that can donate a pair of electrons. This is just an important concept for predicting chemical interactions, particularly Lewis acid-base reactions, and Lewis acid-base reactions serve as a useful category in chemistry as a complement to a redox reaction, because oxidation numbers don't change in Lewis acid-base reactions, but do change in redox reactions.