<INTERPRETATION-INTRODUCTION>

Interpretation:

Equations showing Lewis acid-base reaction to be determined

Concept introduction:

 Lewis acids are electron pair acceptor

 Lewis bases are electron pair donors
 Any electron deficient can act as a Lewis acid such as compounds containing group IIIA
elements like Boron or Aluminum.
 Compounds having vacant orbitals also act as Lewis acids like halides of Iron, Zinc and
Aluminum

</INTERPRETATION-INTRODUCTION>

<ANSWER>

Solution:

(a)
H

H3C O H + BF3 H3C O BF3

(b)

CH3Cl + AlCl3 AlCl4 + CH3

(c)
H3C F
H3C O CH3 + BF3 O B F
H3C F

</ANSWER>

<SUB-PART>

(a)
<EXPLANATION>

Explanation:

Boron Trifluoride (BF3 ) has considerable amount of positive charge centred on Boron because of
the 3 negatively charged fluorides attached to it. Since Boron Trifluoride (BF3 ) can accept
electron, categorize it as a Lewis acid. On the other hand, in methanol, oxygen has 2 lone pair of
electrons and categorized as Lewis base. The unbonded pair of electrons from the oxygen atom of
methanol fill the valance shell of Boron.

H3C O H + BF3 H3C O BF3

</EXPLANATION>

</SUB-PART>

<SUB-PART>

(b)

<EXPLANATION>

Explanation:

Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3 ) has 6 valence electrons and needs 2 more to form a stable octet. The
electron deficiency will categorize AlCl3 as a Lewis acid. Chloromethane has three lone pair of
electrons on chlorine atom and acts a Lewis Base. The electron pair in the chlorine of the
chloromethane fills the valence orbital of aluminum atom in aluminium chloride.

CH3Cl + AlCl3 AlCl4 + CH3

</EXPLANATION>

</SUB-PART>

<SUB-PART>
(c)

<EXPLANATION>

Explanation:

Boron Trifluoride (BF3 ) has considerable amount of positive charge centred on Boron because
of the 3 negatively charged fluorides attached to it. Since Boron Trifluoride (BF3 ) can accept
electron, categorize it as a Lewis acid. In Dimethyl ether, oxygen has 2 lone pair of electrons and
acts as a Lewis base. The unbonded pair of electrons from the oxygen atom of Dimethyl ether fill
the valance shell of Boron.

H3C F
H3C O CH3 + BF3 O B F
H3C F

</EXPLANATION>

</SUB-PART>