Lewis Acids and Bases

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Lewis Acids are electron pair acceptors
Lewis Bases are electron pair donors.

Consider this reaction: NH₃ + H₂O → NH₄⁺ + OH^-

The NH₃ donated a pair of electrons to the H, which came off of the water.

• NH₃ is the Lewis Base

The H itself accepted the electron pair. The OH^- ion was produced as the H was removed.

• H₂O is the Lewis Acid