University Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (8): 368-375.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202412001

• Chemistry History • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Story of Acid-Base Theory

Yuhao Chen, Zhuo Cheng, Qijun Hu, Jian Pei   

  1. College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
  • Received:2024-12-02 Accepted:2025-01-15 Published:2025-07-19
  • Contact: Jian Pei E-mail:jianpei@pku.edu.cn

Abstract: It has been over four hundred years since the proposal of acid-base theory in the 17th century. The understanding and exploration of acids and bases have been an extensive process. Initially, chemists sought to define acids, bases, and acid-base reactions. So far, several theories have been proposed, including the acid-base ionization theory, acid-base solvent theory, Brønsted-Lowry acid-base theory, Lewis acid-base theory, and the soft and hard acid-base theory. These theories are interrelated and complementary, deepening the understanding of the nature of acids and bases and fostering the development of chemistry.

Key words: Lewis acid-base theory, Acid-base ionization, Hindered acid-base pair