Lewis Acids & Bases

• Lewis acid =
electron pair
acceptor (BF3)

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 2
Lewis Acids & Bases
• Lewis acid =
electron pair
acceptor (BF3)
• Lewis base =
electron pair donor
(NH3)

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 3
Lewis Acids & Bases
A Lewis acid and base can interact by
sharing an electron pair.

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 4

Lewis Acids & Bases

A Lewis acid and base can interact by
sharing an electron pair.
Formation of hydronium ion is an excellent
example.

•• ••
O—H •• +
+ H O—H
H
H
H
ACID BASE

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 5

Lewis Acids & Bases

Other good examples involve metal ions.
•• ••
O—H
2+ Co
2+ •• ••
O—H
Co
H
H
ACID BASE

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 6

Lewis Acids & Bases

Other good examples involve metal ions.
•• ••
O—H
2+ Co
2+ •• ••
O—H
Co
H
H
ACID BASE
Such bonds as the H2O ---> Co bond are often
called COORDINATE COVALENT BONDS
because both electrons are supplied by one
of the atoms of the bond.

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 7

Lewis Acids & Bases

The combination of metal
ions (Lewis acids) with
Lewis bases such as
H2O and NH3 ------>
COMPLEX IONS
All metal ions form
complex ions with water
—and are of the type
[M(H2O)x]n+ where x = 4 [Cu(NH3)4]2+
and 6.

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 8

Lewis Acids & Bases

Add NH3 to light blue [Cu(H2O)4]2+ ------>
light blue Cu(OH)2 and then deep blue
[Cu(NH3)4]2+

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 9

Lewis Acids & Bases

[Ni(H2O)6]2+ + 6 NH3 ---> [Ni(NH3)6]2+

+ DMG

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 10

Lewis Acids & Bases

The Fe2+ in heme can interact with O2 or
CO in a Lewis acid-base reaction.

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 11

Lewis Acids & Bases

Many complex ions containing water
undergo HYDROLYSIS to give acidic
solutions.

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 12

Lewis Acids & Bases

Many complex ions containing water undergo
HYDROLYSIS to give acidic solutions.
[Cu(H2O)4]2+ + H2O ---> [Cu(H2O)3(OH)]+ + H3O+

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 13

Lewis Acids & Bases

Many complex ions containing water
undergo HYDROLYSIS to give acidic
solutions.
This explains why water solutions of Fe3+,
Al3+, Cu2+, Pb2+, etc. are acidic.

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 14

Lewis Acids & Bases

This explains AMPHOTERIC nature of
some metal hydroxides.
Al(OH)3(s) + 3 H+ --> Al3+ + 3 H2O
Here Al(OH)3 is a Brønsted base.
Al(OH)3(s) + OH- --> Al(OH)4-
Here Al(OH)3 is a Lewis acid.

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 15

Lewis Acids & Bases

This explains AMPHOTERIC nature of
some metal hydroxides.
Al(OH)3(s) + 3 H+ --> Al3+ + 3 H2O
Here Al(OH)3 is a Brønsted base.
Al(OH)3(s) + OH- --> Al(OH)4-
Here Al(OH)3 is a Lewis acid.

3+ ••
Al O—H-
••

••
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 16

Amphoterism of Al(OH)3

Al(OH)3 on right Add NaOH Add HCl

See Kotz/Treichel, page 830
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 17

Neutral Lewis Acid

Carbon dioxide is a neutral Lewis acid.

-0.75 +1.5 -0.75

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 18

Lewis Acids & Bases

Many complex ions are very
stable.
Cu2+ + 4 NH3 [Cu(NH3)4]2+
K for the reaction is called
Kformation
or a “formation constant”
Here K = 6.8 x 1012. Reaction
is strongly product-favored.

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 19

Lewis Acids & Bases

Formation of complex ions explains why you
can dissolve a ppt. by forming a complex
ion.
AgCl(s) + 2 NH3
Ag(NH3)2+ + Cl-

AgCl(s)

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 20

Lewis Acids & Bases

Formation of complex ions explains why you
can dissolve a ppt. by forming a complex
ion.
AgCl(s) Ag+ + Cl- Ksp = 1.8 x
10-10
Ag+ + 2 NH3 --> Ag(NH3)2+ Kform = 1.6 x 107
-------------------------------------
AgCl(s) + 2 NH3 Ag(NH3)2+ + Cl-
Knet = Ksp • Kform = 2.9 x 10-3
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