Re: TOJC - What is HF?

casmiedm@PLU.edu
Wed, 25 Sep 1996 13:05:17 -0800 (PST)

Dear Cudney,
In order to clear some things up, here are some definitions. A
Bronstad/Lowry acid is a molecule that acts as a proton donor. In a
Lewis acid, the molecule should be an electron acceptor. In HF, the high
difference in electronegativity between the two atoms allows the
potential for the hydrogen to break off and "donate" it to the
corresponding molecule acting as a base in an acid-base reaction. Hope
this helps.
Dan Casmier
casmiedm@plu.edu

On Tue, 24 Sep 1996 cudneyee@PLU.edu wrote:

>
> I am a little confused about what exactly an acid is. In section 3.7 it
> says that a H-F is the strongest acis because flourine is the most
> electronegavtive and the bond is the most polarized and that the proton
> in H-F is the most positve so it is able to lose the proton right away.
> Umm i thought that that an acid is defined as a proton acceptor. I guess
> i don't understand the author's explanation.
> If there is anyone who could explain what he means i would very much
> appreciate it.
>
> Thanks,
> CudneyEE
>