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

Options

A. carbon hydrides are electron - rich hydrides
B. carbon hydrides are electron - deficient hydrides
C. carbon hydrides are electron - precise hydrides
D. carbon hydrides are non - stoichiometric hydrides.

Explanation

To determine whether carbon hydrides of the type \( C_nH_{2n+2} \) act as Lewis acids or bases, we can analyze their electronic structure and bonding characteristics.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Structure**:
- The general formula \( C_nH_{2n+2} \) represents alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons. For example, when \( n = 1 \), the compound is methane (\( CH_4 \)), and when \( n = 2 \), it is ethane (\( C_2H_6 \)).

2. **Understand Lewis Acids and Bases**:
- A Lewis acid is defined as a substance that can accept an electron pair, while a Lewis base is a substance that can donate an electron pair.

3. **Examine the Electron Configuration of Carbon**:
- Carbon has four valence electrons and can form four covalent bonds. In alkanes, carbon is bonded to hydrogen atoms, which do not have lone pairs of electrons to donate.

4. **Electron Richness or Deficiency**:
- In the case of \( C_nH_{2n+2} \) compounds, the carbon atoms are fully saturated with hydrogen atoms. This means that they have a complete octet and do not have excess electrons to donate (which would make them Lewis bases) nor do they have a deficiency of electrons (which would make them Lewis acids).

5. **Conclusion**:
- Since carbon hydrides of the type \( C_nH_{2n+2} \) do not have the ability to either donate or accept electron pairs, they do not act as Lewis acids or bases. They are considered electron-precious hydrides, meaning they have just enough electrons to form stable covalent bonds without any tendency to gain or lose electrons.

### Final Answer:
Carbon hydrides of the type \( C_nH_{2n+2} \) do not act as Lewis acids or bases because they are electron-precious hydrides with a complete set of electrons for bonding, lacking the ability to donate or accept electron pairs.

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