CDS 2025 · PYQ · Chemistry / Acids and Bases · medium
Which one of the following contains all Lewis acids?
A.AlCl3, Co3+, BF3✓ Correct
B.BCl3, NH3, OH−
C.Mg2+, H2O, F−
D.BF3, NH3, H2O
Explanation
Lewis acids are species that can accept a pair of electrons. AlCl3, Co3+, and BF3 are all Lewis acids: AlCl3 has an electron-deficient aluminum atom (only 6 electrons in valence shell), Co3+ is a cation with empty d-orbitals that can accept electron pairs, and BF3 has an electron-deficient boron atom with only 6 valence electrons. In the other options, NH3 is a Lewis base (donates lone pair on nitrogen), OH− is a Lewis base (donates electron pair from oxygen), H2O is a Lewis base (donates lone pair from oxygen), and F− is a Lewis base (donates electron pair). Therefore, only option (a) contains exclusively Lewis acids.
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