Guys, please explain how AlCl3 and BF3 can be Lewis Acids? They are in group 3, so i thought they can have max of 3 bonds as they have 3 valence electrons? This is from Destroyer.
Last edited:
Lewis acid
- Thread starter flossit
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
- Messages
- 131
- Reaction score
- 146
Lewis acids accept electron pairs. Al and B have empty orbitals in those molecules, and would have a complete octet if they accepted an electron pair.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2005
- Messages
- 4,799
- Reaction score
- 3,493
A Lewis acid is a specie that can accept electrons from a donor atom. Atoms such as B, Al, Ga, In, have an empty p orbital which can accept electrons. Other Lewis acids include Fe + 2, Cr + 3, Ag+.
Hope this helps
Dr. Romano
