Question #130076

Is it possible that SnCl2 acts as a lewis acid and lewis base at the same time and if so, an example of this reaction?

Expert's answer

Lewis theory uses electrons instead of proton transfer and specifically states that an acid is a species which accepts an electron pair while a base donates a pair of electrons.

The product of a reaction between a Lewis acid and a Lewis base is therefore a covalent bond.

SnCl2SnCl_2 has electron deficiency hence only a Lewis base. The presence of two chloride atoms increases the electron deficiency even further. The chloride centre is electron rich hence donates electrons instead.


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