Lewis Concept of Acids and BasesTable of contents
The Lewis Acid and Base theory is another way of explaining reactions between H+ and OH- ions. However, the most important aspect of this theory is that it extends the definition of an acid and base beyond the H+ and OH- ions as described by Brønsted acids and bases. Thus, allowing one to predict and rationalize acid/base reactions between species lacking H+ and OH- ions.
IntroductionThe Brønsted acid-base theory has been used throughout the history of acid and base chemistry. However, this theory is very restrictive and focuses primarily on acids and bases acting as proton donors and acceptors. Sometimes conditions arise where the theory doesn't necessarily fit, such as in solids and gases. In 1923, G.N. Lewis from UC Berkeley proposed an alternate theory to describe acids and bases. His theory gave a generalized explanation of acids and bases based on structure and bonding. Through the use of the Lewis definition of acids and bases, chemists are now able to predict a wider variety of acid-base reactions. Lewis' theory used electrons instead of proton transfer and specifically stated that an acid is a species that accepts an electron pair while a base donates an electron pair.
Figure 1 Above: A Lewis Base (B) donates it electrons to a Lewis Acid (A) resulting in a coordinate covalently bonded compound, also known as an adduct. The reaction of a Lewis acid and a Lewis base will produce a coordinate covalent bond, as shown in Figure 1 above. A coordinate covalent bond is just a type of covalent bond in which one reactant gives it electron pair to another reactant. In this case the lewis base donates its electrons to the lewis acid. When they do react this way the resulting product is called an addition compound, or more commonly an adduct.
Lewis AcidsLewis acids accept an electron pair. Lewis Acids are Electrophilic meaning that they are electron attracting. When bonding with a base the acid uses its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital or LUMO (see Fig. 2).
Lewis BasesLewis Bases donate an electron pair. Lewis Bases are Nucleophilic meaning that they “attack” a positive charge with their lone pair. They utilize the highest occupied molecular orbital or HOMO (see Fig. 2). An atom, ion, or molecule with a lone-pair of electrons can thus be a Lewis base. Each of the following anions can "give up" their electrons to an acid. Example: OH-, CN-, CH3COO-, :NH3, H2O:, CO: HOMO & LUMOLewis base's HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) interacts with the Lewis acid's LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) to create bonded molecular orbitals. Both Lewis Acids and Bases contain HOMO and LUMOs but only the HOMO is considered for Bases and only the LUMO is considered for Acids. (see fig. 2 below) Figure 2 Above: Lewis Acids have vacant orbitals so they are in a lower energy level. While lewis bases have lone pair electrons to share and thus occupy a higher energy level. Complex Ion / Coordination CompoundsComplex ions are polyatomic ions, which are formed from a central metal ion that has other smaller ions joined around it. While Brønsted theory can't explain this reaction Lewis acid-base theory can help. A Lewis Base is often the ligand of a coordination compound with the metal acting as the Lewis Acid (see Oxidation States of Transition Metals). Al3+ + 6 H2O ↔ [Al(H2O)6]3+ (see Fig. 3 below ) The Aluminum ion is the metal and is a cation with an unfilled valence shell, and it is a Lewis Acid. Water has lone-pair electrons and is an anion, thus it is a Lewis Base.
Figure 3 (Left): Aluminum ion acts as a lewis acid and accepts the electrons from water, which is acting as a lewis base. This helps explain the resulting hexaaquaaluminum(III) ion. The Lewis Acid accepts the electrons from the Lewis Base which donates the electrons. Another case where Lewis acid-base theory can explain the resulting compound is the reaction of ammonia with Zn2+. Zn2+ + 4NH3 ↔ [Zn(NH3)4]4+ Similarly, the Lewis Acid is the zinc Ion and the Lewis Base is NH3. Note how Brønsted Theory of Acids and Bases will not be able to explain how this reaction occurs because there are no H+ or OH- ions involved. Thus, Lewis Acid and Base Theory allows us to explain the formation of other species and complex ions which do not ordinarily contain hydronium or hydroxide ions. One is able to expand the definition of an acid and a base via the Lewis Acid and Base Theory. The lack of H+ or OH- ions in many complex ions can make it harder to see which species is an acid and which is a base. Therefore, by defining a species that donates an electron pair and a species that accepts an electron pair, the definition of a acid and base is expanded. AmphoterismAs of now you should know that acids and bases are distinguished as two separate things however some substances can be both an acid and a base. You may have noticed this with water, which can act as both an acid or a base. This ability of water to do this makes it an amphoteric molecule. Water can act as an acid by donating its proton to the base and thus becoming its conjugate acid, OH-. However, water can also act as a base by accepting a proton from an acid to become its conjugate base, H3O+. Water acting as an Acid: H2O + NH3 → NH4+ + OH- Water acting as a Base: H2O + HCl → Cl- + H3O+ You may have noticed that the degree to which a molecule acts depends on the medium in which the molecule has been placed in. Water does not act as an acid in an acid medium and does not act as a base in a basic medium. Thus, the medium which a molecule is placed in has an effect on the properties of that molecule. Other molecules can also act as either an acid or a base. For example, Al(OH)3 + 3H+ → Al3+ + 3H2O where Al(OH)3 is acting as a Lewis Base. Al(OH)3 + OH- → Al(OH)4- where Al(OH)3 is acting as an Lewis Acid. Note how the amphoteric properties of the Al(OH)3 depends on what type of environment that molecule has been placed in. Outside LinksReferences
Concept ProblemsIdentify the nature of each of the following as either a Lewis Acid or a Lewis Base: NH3 Ag+ Ni2+ Pt4+ H2O SO2 Explain why SiF4 can act as a Lewis Acid. Identify the nature of each of the following as either a Lewis Acid or a Lewis Base: [Fe(CN)6]3- [Ni(NH3)6]2+ CdBr42- What is the product of the reaction of CO2 + OH- → ? In the reactions below, which is the Lewis Acid and/or which is the Lewis Base? NH3 + H+ → NH4+ H2O + H+ → H3O+ In the complex ion, [PtCl6]2- which is the Lewis Acid and which is the Lewis base? The reaction of AgCl + NH3 produces what complex ion? Concept Problem Solutions
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| File | Size | Date | Attached by | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Untitled 1.jpg HOMO / LUMO | 7.73 kB | 14:47, 10 May 2009 | Adam Abudra | Actions | |
 | Untitled 3.jpg hexa aqua aluminum ion | 8.12 kB | 14:47, 10 May 2009 | Adam Abudra | Actions | |
 | Untitled.jpg Lewis Acid/Base Mechanism | 19.26 kB | 12:41, 10 May 2009 | Adam Abudra | Actions | |
