Can gases or solids be considered acids & bases under the Bronsted-Lowry theory?

Question

For instance, given

(CH3)3N(g) + BCl3(g) --> (CH3)3NBCl3(s)

could (CH3)3N(g) be the base and

BCl3(g) be the acid under the Bronsted-Lowry theory?

Answer 1

No, according to Bronsted- Lowry theory it should produce H+ and OH- ions in water.

Answer 2

The posters are incorrect. The Bronsted-Lowry definition pertains to acids being proton donators and bases being proton acceptors. The only requirement is that the acid have a hydrogen to donate. Forming H+ and OH- pertains to the Arrenius definition.

In your case, this definition cannot be applied.

Your reaction is a Lewis acid-base reaction, with trimethyl amine as a Lewis base (lone pair donor) and boron trichloride as a Lewis acid (lone pair acceptor)

Answer 3

No.... sorry ! it has to be a liquid:

an acid is a chemical compound that can liberate H+ ions in an aquous solution

while bases liberate OH- ions