Chapter 15, Problem 15.44CP

Boric acid ( ${\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{BO}}_{\text{3}}$ ) is a weakmonoprotic acid that yields $\text{H}\text{O}{}^{+}$ ions in water. ${\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{BO}}_{\text{3}}$ might behave either as a Brønsted—Lowryacid or as a Lewis acid, though it is, in fact, a Lewis acid.

(a) Write a balanced equation for the reaction with water in which ${\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{BO}}_{\text{3}}$ behaves as a Brønsted-Lowry acid.

(b) Write a balanced equation for the reaction with water in which ${\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{BO}}_{\text{3}}$ behaves as a Lewis acid. Hint: One of the reaction products contains a tetrahedral boron atom.