Summary:
- Gilbert Lewis (1875-1946) proposed a third theory of acids and bases.
- A Lewis acid is a substance that accepts a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.
- Lewis bases are substances that don't accept electrons but don't form a bond.
- Table below summarizes the three acid-base theories.
- Examples of Lewis acids and base reactions are given.
- The reaction between ammonia and boron trifluoride is an example of a Lewis base reaction.