There's basically 3 different definitions for acids and bases...since noone can really decide what they are. They're all correct and often overlap.
Standard definition ([H+] rise/[OH-] rise)
Lewis definition (Lone pair acceptor/donor)
Bronsted-Lowry definition (H acceptor/donor)
The Lewis theory says that acids are lone pair acceptors and bases are lone pair donors.
So if we say something "acts like a Lewis acid" it means it's accepting a lone pair (of electrons, that is!) in that reaction. It's a great way of describing a molecule's role in the reaction just by referring to it.
It's worth mentioning that if we have the reaction:
A + B ---> C + D
If A is a Lewis acid, then B must be a Lewis base. (If A is accepting a pair of electrons...it's gotta get them from somewhere and B is the only other thing there, so B must be a lone pair donor).
As a final note, it's important to remember that here no molecule is always an acid or always a base. The words acid and base simply describe how that molecule acts in the reaction...it's the role it plays rather than a permanent property of the molecule itself.
If you're unsure what a lone pair is, now is the time forget acids and bases and take a moment to learn that first.
The three acid-base theories are the Arrhenius theory, which defines acids as substances that release hydrogen ions in solution and bases as substances that release hydroxide ions in solution; the Brønsted-Lowry theory, which defines acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors; and the Lewis theory, which defines acids as electron pair acceptors and bases as electron pair donors.
The three acid-base theories are the Arrhenius theory, which defines acids as substances that release protons in solution and bases as substances that release hydroxide ions; the Brønsted-Lowry theory, which defines acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors; and the Lewis theory, which defines acids as electron pair acceptors and bases as electron pair donors.
The Why statement is a theory that suggests acids and bases react as a result of the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen. In this theory, acids donate protons due to the electronegativity difference between hydrogen and oxygen, while bases accept protons. This theory provides an explanation for the behavior of acids and bases in terms of electron movement.
Conjugate acids and bases belong to the Bronsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases. In this theory, an acid donates a proton (H+) and a base accepts a proton. A conjugate acid is formed when a base accepts a proton, and a conjugate base is formed when an acid donates a proton.
Lewis defined acids as substances that are electron pair acceptors, and bases as substances that are electron pair donors. According to Lewis, acids and bases react by sharing an electron pair to form coordinate covalent bonds.
The Brønsted-Lowry theory defines acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors, focusing on the transfer of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in chemical reactions. In contrast, the Lewis theory broadens the definition of acids and bases by describing Lewis acids as electron pair acceptors and Lewis bases as electron pair donors, emphasizing electron interactions rather than just proton transfer. This distinction allows the Lewis theory to encompass a wider range of chemical reactions beyond those involving protons. Thus, while Brønsted-Lowry is more specific to proton transfer, Lewis theory addresses broader electron pair dynamics.
The three acid-base theories are the Arrhenius theory, which defines acids as substances that release hydrogen ions in solution and bases as substances that release hydroxide ions in solution; the Brønsted-Lowry theory, which defines acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors; and the Lewis theory, which defines acids as electron pair acceptors and bases as electron pair donors.
The three acid-base theories are the Arrhenius theory, which defines acids as substances that release protons in solution and bases as substances that release hydroxide ions; the Brønsted-Lowry theory, which defines acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors; and the Lewis theory, which defines acids as electron pair acceptors and bases as electron pair donors.
1) Bronsted-Lowry acids are proton donors. Bronsted-Lowry bases are proton acceptors. 2) Lewis acids are electron acceptors. Lewis bases are electron donors.
The Why statement is a theory that suggests acids and bases react as a result of the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen. In this theory, acids donate protons due to the electronegativity difference between hydrogen and oxygen, while bases accept protons. This theory provides an explanation for the behavior of acids and bases in terms of electron movement.
Conjugate acids and bases belong to the Bronsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases. In this theory, an acid donates a proton (H+) and a base accepts a proton. A conjugate acid is formed when a base accepts a proton, and a conjugate base is formed when an acid donates a proton.
1) Bronsted-Lowry acids are proton donors. Bronsted-Lowry bases are proton acceptors. 2) Lewis acids are electron acceptors. Lewis bases are electron donors.
1) Bronsted-Lowry acids are proton donors. Bronsted-Lowry bases are proton acceptors. 2) Lewis acids are electron acceptors. Lewis bases are electron donors.
Lewis defined acids as substances that are electron pair acceptors, and bases as substances that are electron pair donors. According to Lewis, acids and bases react by sharing an electron pair to form coordinate covalent bonds.
The Brnsted-Lowry theory defines acids as substances that donate protons (H ions) and bases as substances that accept protons. According to this theory, an acid-base reaction involves the transfer of a proton from the acid to the base. This theory expands the definition of acids and bases beyond the traditional concept of acids as substances that release hydrogen ions and bases as substances that release hydroxide ions.
A Lewis acid is therefore any substance, such as the H+ ion, that can accept a pair of nonbonding electrons. In other words, a Lewis acid is an electron-pair acceptor. A Lewis base is any substance, such as the OH- ion, that can donate a pair of nonbonding electrons. A Lewis base is therefore an electron-pair donor.
R. P. Bell has written: 'The modern theory of electrolytes' 'Acids and bases' -- subject(s): Acids, Bases (Chemistry)