Acid–Base Theory

Rucete ✏ Chemistry In a Nutshell

1. Brønsted–Lowry Theory

• Acid: A proton (H⁺) donor

• Base: A proton (H⁺) acceptor
  🔹 Example:

$$\text{HCl}+\text{H₂O}\to {\text{Cl}}^{-}+{\text{H₃O}}^{+}$$

• HCl donates a proton → acid

• H₂O accepts a proton → base

2. Arrhenius Theory

• Acid: Produces H⁺ ions in aqueous solution

• Base: Produces OH⁻ ions in aqueous solution
  🔹 Example:

• Acid: HA → H⁺ + A⁻

• Base: XOH → X⁺ + OH⁻

3. Lewis Theory

• Acid: Electron pair acceptor

• Base: Electron pair donor
  🔹 Example:

• Lewis acid: BF₃ (accepts e⁻ pair)

• Lewis base: NH₃ (donates e⁻ pair)

In a nutshell

Brønsted gives protons, Lewis takes electrons!

• Brønsted–Lowry: Proton transfer

• Arrhenius: Based on ion production in water

• Lewis: Based on electron pair transfer