CHM 221: Inorganic Chemistry I

2nd Semester 2020/2021

Lecture Note 4

Concepts of Acids and Bases

Lewis Concept
A more general and fundamental concept of acid-base behaviour was
proposed by G.N. Lewis in 1923 (the same year in which Bronsted concept
was introduced). However, the concept became influential only in 1930
onwards. According to this concept, a base is a substance which can furnish a
pair of electrons to form a coordinate bond whereas an acid is a substance
which can accept a pair of electrons. A Lewis acid is a substance that acts as
an electron acceptor or electrophile while a Lewis base is a substance that
acts as an electron donor or nucleophile.
A simple example of an acid-base is the reaction between a proton and a
hydroxyl ion.

According to Lewis concept, the following types of species can act as

Lewis acids:
(i) Molecules in which the central atom has incomplete octet: Lewis
acids are electron deficient molecules such as BF3, AICl3, etc.

H.A Salami, UofA, 2021 1

 (ii) Molecules in which the central atom has empty d·orbitals: The
central atom of the halides such as SiX4, TiC4, SnCl4, PX3, PF5, SF4,
etc., have vacant d-orbitals. These can, therefore, accept an electron
pair and act as Lewis acids.

(iii) Simple cations: All cations are expected to act as Lewis acids since
they are electron deficient in nature.However, cations such as Na+,
K+, Ca2+, etc., (inert gas configuration) have a very little tendency to
accept electrons, while the cations like H+, Ag+, Fe3+, Cu2+, etc., have
greater tendency to accept electrons and, therefore, act as Lewis
acids.

(iv) (iv) Molecules having a multiple bond between atoms of dissimilar

electronegativity: Typical examples of molecules belonging to this
class of Lewis acids are CO2, SO2 and SO3. Under the influence of
attacking Lewis base, one n-electron pair will be shifted towards the
more negative atom.

(v) Elements with an electron sextet: Oxygen and sulphur atoms contain
six electrons in their valency shell and can accept a lone pair of
electrons and act as Lewis acids.
The following species can act as Lewis bases :
(i) Neutral species having. at least one lone pair of electrons: For
example, ammonia, amines, alcohols, etc., act as Lewis bases as
they contain a pair of electrons.

(ii) Negatively charged species or simple anions: For example, chloride,

cyanide, hydroxide ions, etc., act as Lewis bases.

(iii) Multiple bonded compounds: The compounds which form

coordination compounds with transition metals such as CO, NO,
ethylene, acetylene, etc., can act as Lewis bases.

H.A Salami, UofA, 2021 2

It may be noted that all Bronsted bases are also Lewis bases but all Lewis
acids are not Bronsted acids.
Limitations of Lewis Concept
(i) Lewis theory fails to explain the relative strength of acids and bases as
different types of reactions are involved.
(ii) Acids such as HCI, H2SO4 do not form coordinate bonds with bases.
(iii) All acid-base reactions are fast. However, the formation of coordinate
bond is very slow in certain cases.

H.A Salami, UofA, 2021 3