The concept of donor number (DN), based on calorimetric measurements of adduct formation between Lewis bases and a reference Lewis acid, proved to be fruitful for the interpretation of various medium effects, and, more generally, for the understanding of Lewis basicity. Attempts to extend the DN scale (a thermodynamic basicity scale) using indirect methods are discussed. In particular, the use of δ(23Na) NMR spectrometry for the characterization of Lewis basicity of ionic liquids is examined in this Correspondence.