How can water be a lewis base?

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How can water be a lewis base?

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Answer 1 · 2014-03-11T23:09:26

Water can be a Lewis acid AND base.

Water ( $H_{2} O$ $H_2O$ ) is amphoteric, meaning that it can "self ionize".
$H_{2} O$ $H_2O$ + $H_{2} O$ $H_2O$ = $H_{3} O^{+}$ $H_3O^+$ + $O H^{-}$ $OH^-$

One of the water molecules acts as a Lewis acid ( $H_{3} O^{+}$ $H_3O^+$ ) and one acts as a Lewis base ( $O H^{-}$ $OH^-$ )

The Lewis definition of a base (lewis base) is that it donates an electron pair, while a Lewis acid accepts it. When water is ionized, the $O H^{-}$ $OH^-$ may donate electrons to another acid besides the $H_{3} O^{+}$ $H_3O^+$ ion, therefore reacting with it.

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How can water be a lewis base?

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