Do you expect the carbon hydrides fo the type `(C_(n)H_(2n+2))` to act as 'Lewis' acid or base? Justify your answer.

Explanation

For carbon hydrides of type of `C_(n)H_(2n+2)`, the following hydrides are possible for
`n=1 Rightarrow CH_(4)`
`n=2 Rightarrow C_(2)H_(6)`
n=3 Rightarrow `C_(3)H_(8)`
For a hydride to act as a Lewis base i.e. electron accepting, it should be electron deficient. Also, for it to act a Lewis base i.e., electron donatin, it should be electron rich.
Takig `C_(2)H_(6)` as an example, the total number of electrons are 14 the total covalent bonds are seven. Hence, the bonds are regular `2e^(-)`-2 centered bonds.

Hence, hydride, `C_(2)H_(6)` has sufficient electrons to be represented by a conventional Lewis structure, Therefore, it is an electon precise hydride, having all atoms with complete octets. Thus, it can neither donate nor accept electrons to act as a Lewis acid or Lewis base.