Question

Is Bcl3 a Lewis acid or Lewis base

Answer 1

hello:)

remember - By definition a Lewis acid is an electron-pair acceptor, and a Lewis-base is an electron pair donor. 

boron atom in boron tri-chloride has a formal, vacant orbital that can accept electron density of boron.

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Answer 2

¤ Lewis acid is defined as an electron pair 'acceptor', which will acquire an electron pair. 

¤ Lewis base is anything that gives this electron pair, hence the term 'donor'.

1.Boron atom in boron trichloride has a formal, vacant p orbital that can accept electron density and quaternize the boron.

2. Boron trichloride BCl3 is electron-deficient, enabling the molecule to accept additional pairs of electrons and act as a Lewis Acid.