Amphoteric vs Amphiprotic

[Marisa Gaitan 2D]

What exactly is the difference between something amphoteric vs something amphiprotic? Amphoteric substances can act as an acid and a base correct? So what distinguishes this from amphiprotic?

[Emily Ding 1J]

Amphiprotic means it can donate and accept protons. It's just more specific. All amphiprotic compounds are amphoteric but not all amphoteric compounds are amphiprotic.

[Nicole Huang 3F]

I think amphoteric means when something can act as both an acid and base depending on what is around it (ex. water can donate the proton to a base nearby to form OH-); amphiprotic means that in of itself, it can both donate and accept protons (ex. HCO3 can accept or donate at the same time). Hope this kinda helps!

[Olivia Yang 3J]

An amphoteric species is one that can act as an acid or base in a reaction while an amphiprotic species is one that can receive or donate a proton (H).
All amphiprotic species are amphoteric but not all amphoteric species are amphiprotic.

[Jonathan Batac - 2D]

You are right in that amphoteric substances can act as an acid or a base. Amphiprotic substances, I think, are just a bit more specific because amphiprotic means that a substance (such as water) can either donate or accept H+ ions. Amphiprotic substances are always amphoteric, but not all amphoteric substances are amphiprotic.

[Marylyn Makar 1B]

Hi! So I believe that all amphiprotic compounds are amphoteric as well but the opposite is not always true. Amphiprotic compounds can act as a proton donor and proton acceptor. Amphoteric compounds have both acidic and basic character but that does not necessarily mean that they are amphiprotic as well. For example, aluminum oxide is amphoteric (reacts with acids and bases) but does not have any hydrogen atoms to donate as protons; therefore, aluminum oxide is not amphiprotic.