Question

Label the Lewis acid and Lewis base in each reaction. Use curved arrows to show the movement of electron pairs.

a.

b.

Short answer

Species that can take up electron pairs are referred to as Lewis acids. Lewis bases are species that can provide their electron pairs to others. Several reactions that form a part of organic chemistry can be regarded as Lewis acid-base reactions.

Step-by-step solution

Lewis acids and Lewis bases

Species that can take up electron pairs are referred to as Lewis acids. Lewis bases are species that can provide their electron pairs to others. Several reactions that form a part of organic chemistry can be regarded as Lewis acid-base reactions.

Identification of compounds as Lewis acid and Lewis base

a. The Lewis acid is boron trichloride, and the Lewis base is a chloride ion. As given below, the chloride ion contributes its electron pair to the Lewis acid boron trichloride, which receives them to generate the product.

Identification of Lewis acid and Lewis base in reaction a

b. The Lewis acid is acetyl chloride, and the Lewis base is the hydroxide ion. The hydroxide ion donates its electron pair to the Lewis acid acetyl chloride that accepts them to produce the resulting products, as given below:

Identification of Lewis acid and Lewis base in reaction b