acids/bases

[holler01]

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WHy is BCl3 a Lewis acid and not a lewis base? it has an extra electron pair...?

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

WHy is BCl3 a Lewis acid and not a lewis base? it has an extra electron pair...?

B only has three electron pairs (three bonds and no lone pair), so it readily accepts an electron pair to complete its octet. The fact that Cl is more electronegative makes the partial positive charge on B large and therefore makes it an even better electron pair acceptor.

 

[silverlion]

B only has three electron pairs (three bonds and no lone pair), so it readily accepts an electron pair to complete its octet. The fact that Cl is more electronegative makes the partial positive charge on B large and therefore makes it an even better electron pair acceptor.

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