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Lewis Acids and Bases

A Lewis acid is aIso caIIed an eIectrophiIe.
When a Lewis base reacts with an eIectrophiIe other
than a proton, the Lewis base is aIso caIIed a
nucIeophiIe. In this exampIe, BF
3
is the eIectrophiIe and
H
2
O is the nucIeophiIe.
eIectrophiIe nucIeophiIe
Acids and Bases
Two other exampIes are shown beIow. Note that in each
reaction, the eIectron pair is not removed from the
Lewis base. Instead, it is donated to an atom of the
Lewis acid and one new covaIent bond is formed.
Lewis Acids and Bases
Acids and Bases