IB DP Chemistry: AHL 18.1 Lewis acids and bases : Study Notes

18.1 Lewis acids and bases

Essential Idea:
The acid–base concept can be extended to reactions that do not involve proton transfer.

Understandings:

  • A Lewis acid is a lone pair acceptor and a Lewis base is a lone pair donor.
  • When a Lewis base reacts with a Lewis acid a coordinate bond is formed.
  • A nucleophile is a Lewis base and an electrophile is a Lewis acid.

Applications and Skills:

  • Application of Lewis’ acid–base theory to inorganic and organic chemistry to identify the role of the reacting species.

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