Define a lewis base. Can OH- function as a Lewis base?

Yes. Oh- donates a pair of its electrons.

A Lewis base is any species that donates a pair of electrons to a Lewis acid.

A Lewis base is an atom, ion, or molecule that donates an electron pair to form a covalent bond.

A Lewis base is a chemical species that donates an electron pair to form a covalent bond. It is characterized by having a lone pair of electrons that it can share with a Lewis acid.

Now, to determine whether OH- (hydroxide ion) can function as a Lewis base, we need to examine its electronic structure. The hydroxide ion consists of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom, along with two additional lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atom.

Since OH- has these lone pairs of electrons, it can act as a Lewis base by donating one of its lone pairs to a Lewis acid, which is a species that accepts an electron pair. This interaction leads to the formation of a covalent bond.

In summary, OH- can indeed function as a Lewis base due to its ability to donate a lone pair of electrons for bond formation with a Lewis acid.