Question

Classify each compound as a Lewis base, a Brønsted -Lowry base, both or neither.

a.

b.

c.

d.

Short answer

a. This compound is a Lewis base and a Brønsted Lowry base.

b. This compound is a Lewis base and a Brønsted Lowry base.

c. This compound is neither a Lewis base nor a Brønsted Lowry base.

d. This compound is both a Lewis base and a Brønsted Lowry base.

Step-by-step solution

Lewis base

Lewis bases are compounds that can contribute to their electron pairs.These species comprise of lone pair of electrons or a pi bond.

Brønsted Lowry base

Brønsted Lowry bases are species that can obtain protons from other species. A compound can be regarded as a Brønsted Lowry base if it contains a lone pair or a pi bond.

Identifying the compounds as Lewis bases or Brønsted Lowry bases

a. This compound is a Lewis base and a Brønsted Lowry base as they contain lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom.

Compound a

b. The lone pair of electrons are present on Cl in this compound. Hence, this compound is a Lewis base and a Brønsted Lowry base.

Compound b

c. This compound does not contain lone pair of electrons or a pi bond. Hence, this compound is neither a Lewis base nor a Brønsted Lowry base.

Compound c

d. This compound contains pi bonds. Hence, this compound is both a Lewis base and a Brønsted Lowry base.

Compound d