Which of the following molecules acts as a Lewis acid?
- (CH3)2O
- (CH3)3P
- (CH3)3N
- (CH3)3B
Answer
(4) (CH3)3B
Solution
As per NCERT, a Lewis acid is an electron-pair acceptor.
(CH3)2O, (CH3)3P and (CH3)3N have lone pairs on O, P and N ⇒ they are Lewis bases.
In (CH3)3B, boron has only 6 valence electrons (incomplete octet) ⇒ it accepts an electron pair.
∴ (CH3)3B acts as a Lewis acid.
Answer: (4)