Other Definitions
amphiprotic (dict)
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AmphiproticIn chemistry, a substance is described as amphiprotic, if it can both donate or accept a proton, thus acting either like an acid or a base. An example are amino acids. See also amphoteric. Water, hydrogen carbonate ions and hydrogen sulfate ions are common examples of amphiprotic species. One distinguishing feature is that amphiprotic substances contain a hydrogen ion. Example A common example is the hydrogen carbonate ion, which can act as a base: HCO3- + H3O+ → H2CO3 + H2O Or as an acid: HCO3- + H2O → CO32- + H3O+ Effectively making it able to accept or donate a proton (hydrogen ion).
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