Lewis but not Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reaction

  • Thread starter TT0
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Reaction
In summary, a Lewis acid donates an electron pair while a Bronsted-Lowry acid accepts a proton. The reactions B, C, D, and E all involve proton exchanges, while A is a solubility equation. All of the reactions listed are valid acid-base reactions.
  • #1
TT0
211
3

Homework Statement


Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 5.04.25 PM.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


A lewis acid donates a electron pair while a bronsted-lowry acid accepts a proton. So I need to cancel out all the ones that has proton exchanges. They are B, C, D and E. However, in A, it isn't really an acid base reaction but a solubility equation.

In B the cyanide ion accepts a proton.
In C the ammonia accepts a proton.
In D the water accepts a proton
In E the hydroxide accepts a proton.

Clearly, one of these isn't true so where was my thinking wrong?

Cheers!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Your thinking was not wrong. All of the reactions you listed are acid-base reactions, and all involve the transfer of a proton from one species to another. A is not an acid-base reaction but is a solubility reaction, which involves the dissolution of an ionic compound in water.
 

FAQ: Lewis but not Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reaction

1. What is the difference between Lewis and Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reactions?

The main difference between these two types of acid-base reactions is the definition of acids and bases. In a Lewis acid-base reaction, an acid is defined as a substance that accepts a pair of electrons, while a base is a substance that donates a pair of electrons. In contrast, a Bronsted-Lowry acid is defined as a proton donor, and a base is a proton acceptor.

2. Can a substance be a Lewis acid but not a Bronsted-Lowry acid?

Yes, a substance can be a Lewis acid but not a Bronsted-Lowry acid. This is because a Lewis acid is defined based on its ability to accept a pair of electrons, while a Bronsted-Lowry acid is defined based on its ability to donate a proton. A substance may have the ability to accept a pair of electrons, but not necessarily donate a proton.

3. How do Lewis and Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases differ in terms of their chemical formulas?

In terms of their chemical formulas, Lewis acids and bases may or may not contain hydrogen (H) atoms, while Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases must contain at least one hydrogen atom. This is because the definition of a Bronsted-Lowry acid is based on its ability to donate a proton (which is a hydrogen ion), while the definition of a Lewis acid does not include this requirement.

4. Are Lewis and Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reactions equally important in chemistry?

Yes, both Lewis and Bronsted-Lowry acid-base reactions are important in chemistry. They both play significant roles in various chemical reactions, and many reactions involve both types of acids and bases. However, the use of one type of acid-base reaction may be more appropriate depending on the specific reaction conditions and reactants involved.

5. Can a substance act as both a Lewis acid and a Bronsted-Lowry acid?

Yes, a substance can act as both a Lewis acid and a Bronsted-Lowry acid. For example, a substance that can accept a pair of electrons may also have the ability to donate a proton. This is because the definitions of Lewis and Bronsted-Lowry acids are not mutually exclusive, and a substance may exhibit properties of both types of acids depending on the reaction conditions.

Back
Top