why is SnCl4 a lewis acid?

[lilietta2000]

why is SnCl4 a lewis acid?

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[bluemonkey]

SnCl4, FeCl3, FeBr3, etc. are all lewis acids. Remember that the Lewis definition of an acid is that it is an electron pair acceptor. What do all of these previous examples have in common? A metal atom bonded to highly electronegative elements. This will allow the central atom to accept an electron pair as it is left with a large partial positive charge. Any old electrophile will act as a Lewis Acid since electrophiles are seeking electron pairs. Keep in mind that from period 3 and below elements are capable of expanding their octets to accommodate more electrons (as is the case with SnCl4) I hope this helps...On an additional note, the bonds formed to lewis acids will be coordinate-covalent as both of the electrons in the bond are coming from another species.

 

[lilietta2000]

SnCl4, FeCl3, FeBr3, etc. are all lewis acids. Remember that the Lewis definition of an acid is that it is an electron pair acceptor. What do all of these previous examples have in common? A metal atom bonded to highly electronegative elements. This will allow the central atom to accept an electron pair as it is left with a large partial positive charge. Any old electrophile will act as a Lewis Acid since electrophiles are seeking electron pairs. Keep in mind that from period 3 and below elements are capable of expanding their octets to accommodate more electrons (as is the case with SnCl4) I hope this helps...On an additional note, the bonds formed to lewis acids will be coordinate-covalent as both of the electrons in the bond are coming from another species.

THanks !This is wonderful! You really know your chemistry! How did you about SnCl4? I tried to google and also I looked into my textbook, I didn't find anything!

 

[bluemonkey]

THanks !This is wonderful! You really know your chemistry! How did you about SnCl4? I tried to google and also I looked into my textbook, I didn't find anything!

Generally any time you see a transition metal bonded to highly electronegative elements (chlorine in this case), you will have a Lewis acid. Good luck with your studies!