[gingi85]

I'm not really clear as to the definition of an acid and base in inorganic chemistry. Alkali metals are all bases because they donate electrons. Aluminum chloride is a base because it accepts electrons. How then do I understand that ZnO acts as a base when it reacts with water:

ZnO + 2H⁺  Zn²⁺ + H₂O

The Zinc neither accepted nor donated. It started off with an oxidation state of +2 and ended with +2. What then makes it a base?

[Mitch]

Can you think of an acid/base reaction where the oxidation state does change?

[gingi85]

Ca + 2H₃O⁺  Zn(OH)₂ + H₂

The same for most alkali and alkali earth metals.

[gingi85]

My bad. Now its correct.

Ca + 2H₃O⁺    Ca(OH)₂ + H₂

[Borek]

What happens to oxidation state of calcium?

[gingi85]

Goes from 0 to +2.

[AWK]

Do you think about Lux-Flood theory of acids and bases?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid–base_reaction#Lux-Flood_definition

[zxt]

I'm not really clear as to the definition of an acid and base in inorganic chemistry. Alkali metals are all bases because they donate electrons. Aluminum chloride is a base because it accepts electrons. How then do I understand that ZnO acts as a base when it reacts with water:

ZnO + 2H⁺  Zn²⁺ + H₂O

The Zinc neither accepted nor donated. It started off with an oxidation state of +2 and ended with +2. What then makes it a base?

Aluminum chloride is a base? I think it's a acid when it's dissolved in water. A base is a matter that can receive electron easily comparatively and a acid is on the contray. And in different solvent, a base can change into a acid, vice versa.

[gingi85]

AWK:

Thank you!

zxt:

You're right. I meant to write acid.