In: Chemistry
which of the following are likely to act as lewis acids? BF3, NH4+, NH3, CH3+, CH4, H2O, H3O+
As per the defination, Lewis acids are any species with empty orbitals and capable of accepting electron pair. Whereas, Lewis bases are any species with extra electron pair and ready to donate it.
BF3: The central B atom has empty 2p orbital ()electronic configuration: 1s2, 2s2 2p1), hence BF3 is a Lewis acid.
NH4+ : The central atom N dose not have any empty orbital and hence it does not accepts electrons, also it is does not give electrons. So it is nither Lewis acid nor base. (but it is an Bronsted-Lowry acid as it can give proton!!)
NH3: The central N atom hase extra loan pair of electrons and hence it is a Lewis base.
CH3+ : The central atom C has empty orbital and hance it is a Lewis acid.
CH4: All orbitals are full and no extra electrons available for shring, hence it is nither Lewis acid nor base.
H2O: The central O atom has extral loan pair of electrons and hence it can donate it, so it is a Lewis base.
H3O+: All orbitals are full and one of the loan pair on oxygene is utilized hence it is not Lewis acid. (but it is an Bronsted-Lowry acid as it can give proton!!)