Question

which of the following would most likely act as a bronsted-lowry acid?
○ oh⁻
○ hcn
○ ccl₄
○ mg(oh)⁺

Explanation:

A Brønsted - Lowry acid is a proton ($H^+$) donor.

• $OH^-$ is a hydroxide ion, it is a Brønsted - Lowry base as it accepts protons.
• $HCN$ (hydrogen cyanide) can donate a proton to form $CN^-$, so it can act as a Brønsted - Lowry acid.
• $CCl_4$ (carbon tetrachloride) is a non - polar molecule and does not have a proton to donate, so it cannot act as a Brønsted - Lowry acid.
• $Mg(OH)^+$ has a hydroxide - like group and is more likely to accept a proton (act as a base) rather than donate a proton.

Answer:

B. HCN