Usanovich and his all-In-one acid-base concept

Abstract

This contribution considers the little-known universal acid-base concept of Usanovich. It is quite interesting and useful to see how one can get from the proton-based and quantitative Brönsted-Lowry theory and the electron-based Lewis approach to a comprehensive and unified acid-base concept that includes exchange of all kinds of ions and even electrons. When the consideration of electron exchange touches even redox reactions, however, the Usanovich concept appears to most chemists as too far of a stretch. Publishing the original idea in a Soviet journal in Russian language did not help either in promoting it. Later articles were published in German, and even some English chemistry text books considered the contribution of Usanovich. These chapters, however, would disappear in later editions, and so, what remains today is the fascinating history of acid base concepts that can teach us on how competing ideas contribute to the progress of science in chemistry.

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