Question
Discuss the Lowry Bronsted concept of acids and bases.
Or
Discuss the protonic concept of acids and bases.
Solution
Acid is defined as any substance (molecule or ion) that is capable of donating a proton to any other substance.
The base is regarded as any substance (molecule or ion) that is capable of accepting a proton given off by ah acid. Hence, acid is proton donor, Base is proton acceptor.
Thus, acid-base reactions are regarded as proton transfer processes. It should be noted that a species can act as an acid (donating proton) only if another species capable of accepting a proton (base) is also present e.g. in the reaction
the water molecule acts as a base because it accepts a proton donating by HCl. HCl in benzene or carbon tetrachloride is not an acid because benzene or CCl4 does not accept a proton from HCl.
The base is regarded as any substance (molecule or ion) that is capable of accepting a proton given off by ah acid. Hence, acid is proton donor, Base is proton acceptor.
Thus, acid-base reactions are regarded as proton transfer processes. It should be noted that a species can act as an acid (donating proton) only if another species capable of accepting a proton (base) is also present e.g. in the reaction
the water molecule acts as a base because it accepts a proton donating by HCl. HCl in benzene or carbon tetrachloride is not an acid because benzene or CCl4 does not accept a proton from HCl.
