I once saw a reaction that looked like a hieroglyphic: BF₃ + NH₃ → H₃N—BF₃. My first thought was, “Is this a ransom note from a mad chemist?” But relax. BF₃ is a strong Lewis acid (it wants electrons badly, like a toddler wanting candy). NH₃ is, again, the generous base. The arrow shows the base donating its electrons to form a bond. The Lewis base? Still the ammonia.
It’s like when you introduce your shy friend to the life of the party. The shy one (BF₃) gets all excited. The generous one (NH₃) does all the work.
Acid Chemistry Examples
Everyday connections that will make you say “Ohhh!”
Think about your morning coffee. The caffeine molecule has nitrogen atoms with lone pairs—Lewis bases. That’s why it binds to receptors in your brain and wakes you up. It’s basically a tiny electron-donating ninja. Also, when you cook with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), it acts as a Lewis base to react with acidic ingredients like buttermilk, causing your pancakes to fluff up. You’re a Lewis base chef, my friend.
Or consider how your dog steals your socks. The sock is the Lewis base: it has all those loose, warm fibers that your dog’s mouth wants to bond with. Your dog is the Lewis acid, and the result is a slobbery sock. Chemistry is everywhere, even in the laundry basket.
