Answer
Identification of Acid and Base (Reactants Only)
Reaction (a):
FeCl₃ + Cl₂ → Cl⁺ + [FeCl₄]⁻
FeCl₃ is a Lewis acid because the Fe³⁺ center has vacant orbitals that can accept electron density.
Cl₂ is a Lewis base in this context because it donates electron density to the FeCl₃ and facilitates the formation of the complex ion.
Reaction (b):
BH₃ + Ether → BH₃·Ether
BH₃ is a Lewis acid due to its electron deficiency (only 6 valence electrons around boron).
Ether is a Lewis base because it donates a lone pair from its oxygen atom to the boron atom in BH₃.
Summary Table
| Reaction | Lewis Acid | Lewis Base |
|---|---|---|
| FeCl₃ + Cl₂ → Cl⁺ + [FeCl₄]⁻ | FeCl₃ | Cl₂ |
| BH₃ + Ether → BH₃·Ether | BH₃ | Ether |