What is a #"Lewis-acid"#? Of #NCl_3#, #NH_3#, #PCl_3# and #AlCl_3#, which is the likely Lewis-acid?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 29, 2017

A #"Lewis acid"# is an electron-pair acceptor........

Explanation:

#NCl_3#, #NH_3#, and #PCl_3# are all electron donors. #AlCl_3# is an electron pair acceptor, and may thus be classified as a Lewis acid. In fact much of the chemistry of aluminum may be rationalized on the basis of the tendency of the metal to complete its valence electron shell, i.e. to satisfy its intrinsic Lewis acidity:

#AlCl_3 + Cl^(-) rarr AlCl_4^(-)#

Related questions
See all questions in Lewis Acids and Bases
Impact of this question
2124 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License