Organic Chemistry (8th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321768418
ISBN 13: 978-0-32176-841-4

Chapter 1 - Introduction and Review - Study Problems - Page 39: 1-45 c

Answer

The curved arrows in the picture show the movement of electrons. $NH_3$ is the Lewis base (nucleophile) and $CH_2O$ is the Lewis acid (electrophile).

Work Step by Step

The lone pairs on Nitrogen attack the C, and then since C now has more than 4 bonds, the bond between the $C$ and $O-$ breaks and the electrons go to O, forming $O^-$. Since $NH_3^-$ donates a pair of electrons it is lewis base and $CH_2O$ accepts a pair so it is lewis acid.
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