What is the difference between a Bronsted acid/base and a Lewis acid/base?

1 Answer
Dr. Hayek
Dec 5, 2015

See explanation.

Explanation:

According to the Bronsted definition:

  • Acid: is an #H^+# donor.
  • Base: is an #H^+# acceptor.

Example:
Bronsted Acid: #HCl->H^++Cl^-#
Bronsted Base: #NH_3+H^(+)->NH_4^+#

According to the Lewis definition:

  • Acid: is an electron lone pair acceptor.
  • Base: is an electron lone pair donor.

Example:
Lewis Acid: #AlCl_3#
Lewis Base: #H_2O#

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