Chapter 16, Problem 117QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reaction of $\text{Al}{\left(\text{OH}\right)}_3$ with a base is to be written, and the type of reaction is to be identified.

Concept introduction:

Metals and transition metals combine with hydroxide ions to form metal hydroxides.

Nature of all alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides is basic.

Transition metal hydroxides show basic as well as acidic behavior. Thus, they are amphoteric in nature.

Lewis acids are those species that can accept a lone pair of electrons. They need not have a hydrogen atom to be removed as a proton, but they are required to have an empty orbital to accommodate a lone pair of electrons.

Lewis bases are those species that can donate a pair of electrons. They may not accept a proton, but they need to have a lone pair of electrons to be donated for bond formation.