NEET 2026
- Exam
- NEET
- Year
- 2026
- Subject
- Chemistry
- Chapter
- Chapter
NEET 2026 · Chemistry · Chapter
Which of the following pairs of chemical species consists entirely...
Which of the following pairs of chemical species consists entirely of Lewis acids?
Options
- A,
- B,
- C,
- D,
Correct answer
B. ,
Step-by-step solution
Lewis acids are chemical species that can accept an electron pair.
has empty d-orbitals in the valence shell of the central silicon atom, allowing it to accept electron pairs and expand its octet (for example, forming ). Thus, it acts as a Lewis acid.
is an electron-deficient molecule with an incomplete octet on the central boron atom, making it a strong electron pair acceptor. Thus, it also acts as a Lewis acid.
In the other options:
is a Lewis base due to the lone pairs on the oxygen atom.
and are Lewis bases as they can donate electron pairs.
is a Lewis base as it can donate an electron pair.
Therefore, the pair consisting entirely of Lewis acids is and .
Answer: ,
has empty d-orbitals in the valence shell of the central silicon atom, allowing it to accept electron pairs and expand its octet (for example, forming ). Thus, it acts as a Lewis acid.
is an electron-deficient molecule with an incomplete octet on the central boron atom, making it a strong electron pair acceptor. Thus, it also acts as a Lewis acid.
In the other options:
is a Lewis base due to the lone pairs on the oxygen atom.
and are Lewis bases as they can donate electron pairs.
is a Lewis base as it can donate an electron pair.
Therefore, the pair consisting entirely of Lewis acids is and .
Answer: ,