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.
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Lewis acid
- Thread starter flossit
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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.
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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
