Amphoteric Reactions

[Hovhannes Narinyan 3C]

What influences whether an amphoteric compound protonates or deprotonates?

[Joshua Azer]

Whether an amphoteric compound protonates or deprotonates depends on the pH of the environment relative to its pKa values

[206363692]

That depends on the pH of the environment, the Ka and Kb, the compound itself, concentration of reactants, solvent's effects, and even temperature and pressure.

For example, an amphoteric compound is more likely to protonate and act as a base and accept a proton if concentration of H+ ions is high. An amphoteric compound is more likely to deprotonate and act as an acid and donate a proton if concentration of OH- ions is high and H+ ions is low.

[805875983]

An amphoteric compound will protonate or deprotonate depending on the pH of the solution and its pKa values, protonating in acidic conditions and deprotonating in basic conditions.