CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

How do we distinguish whether a compound is amphoteric or amphiprotic?

Amphoteric has both acid and basic characters and properties. Amphiprotic acts as a proton donor or acceptor. An example of this would be water (H2O). It could become H3O or either -OH.

all amphoteric substances (can act as both acids and bases) are amphiprotic, but amphiprotic substances specifically can donate and accept hydrogen ions. not all acid/base reaction make use of hydrogen ion exchange

Taizha 1C wrote:Amphoteric has both acid and basic characters and properties. Amphiprotic acts as a proton donor or acceptor. An example of this would be water (H2O). It could become H3O or either -OH.

It would also be helpful to know polyprotic which has more than one proton to donate ( if it is an acid) or accept (if it is a base).

Taizha 1C wrote:Amphoteric has both acid and basic characters and properties. Amphiprotic acts as a proton donor or acceptor. An example of this would be water (H2O). It could become H3O or either -OH.

To be considered amphiprotic, does it have to act as a proton donor and acceptor, or only one of the two?

Ashley Martinez 1G wrote:

Taizha 1C wrote:Amphoteric has both acid and basic characters and properties. Amphiprotic acts as a proton donor or acceptor. An example of this would be water (H2O). It could become H3O or either -OH.

To be considered amphiprotic, does it have to act as a proton donor and acceptor, or only one of the two?

Yes, I think it would have to be a proton donor and acceptor to be considered amphiprotic, so it could be either a base or acid.

Also, just to add on copper, zinc, tin, lead, aluminium, and beryllium tend to be amphoteric as well.