Draw Lewis structures that show how electron pairs move and...

Draw Lewis structures that show how electron pairs move and bonds form and break during the autoionization of water. Label the appropriate $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$ molecules as the Lewis acid and Lewis base.

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Key Concepts

Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that depict the bonding between atoms of a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They help visualize the arrangement of electrons in a molecule, which is essential for understanding how bonds form and break during a chemical reaction.

Lewis Acid-Base Theory

Lewis acid-base theory classifies chemical species based on their ability to accept or donate electron pairs. A Lewis acid is an electron pair acceptor, while a Lewis base is an electron pair donor. This theory is fundamental in explaining many reaction mechanisms, including proton transfers.

Autoionization

Autoionization refers to a process where a molecule reacts with itself to produce ions. In the context of water, one water molecule donates a proton (acting as a Lewis base) while another accepts the proton (acting as a Lewis acid), resulting in the formation of hydronium and hydroxide ions.

Electron Pair Movement and Curved Arrow Notation

Electron pair movement is depicted using curved arrows in reaction mechanisms to indicate the shift of electrons during bond formation or cleavage. This notation clarifies which electron pairs are involved in making or breaking bonds, an essential aspect in the study of reaction dynamics.

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