Acids and Bases

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Emily Bridgeforth 1I
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2024 7:10 am

Acids and Bases

Postby Emily Bridgeforth 1I » Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:34 pm

When writing Lewis Acids and Bases, why do we put a colon (:) in front of the acid?

Sushant Bhopale 2J
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2024 8:38 am

Re: Acids and Bases

Postby Sushant Bhopale 2J » Thu Oct 31, 2024 11:48 pm

Hi Emily,

The colon is actually 2 dots that represent the number of valence electrons that a Lewis base provides to a Lewis acid. For instance, NH3 has two dots in front of it because it is a Lewis base that provides these two electrons to BF3, which is a Lewis acid and can accept the electrons. Another note: you would put the dots in front of the Lewis base (not the Lewis acid) because the base (not the acid) is donating the electrons. Hope this helps!


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