The formula of orthoboric acid is 3 3 H BO . This acid in the reaction between orthoboric acid and water 3 3 H BO accepts OH⁻ from water and produces H⁺ . Therefore, it is a weak monobasic Lewis acid but not a protonic acid. The reaction is shown below. 3 3 2 4 H BO H O B H (OH)- + + ® + Therefore, in water, it cannot donate a proton, but due to the presence of vacant orbital, it can accept electrons as a Lewis acid.
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