Skip to main content

Amphiprotic Substances

This video presents the same text shown beside it, spoken and on screen. It adds nothing the text does not say.

State

An amphiprotic substance can act as either a Brønsted-Lowry acid or base depending on the reaction partner it meets; amphoteric is the broader term applying beyond proton transfer.

Show

Bicarbonate ion, HCO3−, donates a proton to a strong base but accepts one from a strong acid.

Watch for

Containing hydrogen alone does not make a substance amphiprotic; it must both donate and accept protons.