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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Among the following examples, the species that behave(s) as a Lewis acid is/are: BF3\text{BF}_3, SnCl2\text{SnCl}_2, SnCl4\text{SnCl}_4

A

Stannous chloride, Stannic chloride

B

BF3\text{BF}_3, Stannous chloride

C

Only BF3\text{BF}_3

D

BF3\text{BF}_3, Stannous chloride, Stannic chloride

Step-by-Step Solution

According to the Lewis concept, an acid is a species that can accept an electron pair . BF3\text{BF}_3 is an electron-deficient molecule with an incomplete octet around the boron atom, making it a strong Lewis acid . SnCl2\text{SnCl}_2 (Stannous chloride) and SnCl4\text{SnCl}_4 (Stannic chloride) both have empty orbitals (p and d orbitals, respectively) in the valence shell of the central tin (Sn\text{Sn}) atom. Therefore, they can expand their octets and accept electron pairs to act as Lewis acids (e.g., SnCl4\text{SnCl}_4 can accept two Cl\text{Cl}^- ions to form [SnCl6]2[\text{SnCl}_6]^{2-}). Thus, all three species behave as Lewis acids.

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