Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
amphiprotic

amphiprotic

9.9
Able to act as either an acid or a base, like water
  • adjective
  • /ˌæmfɪˈproʊtɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : amfiprótico
  • Water is an amphiprotic molecule because it can act as both an acid and a base.

Examples

  • Water is considered amphiprotic because it can both donate and accept protons.

  • Some ions are amphiprotic, meaning they can both donate and accept protons during reactions.

  • The amphiprotic nature of the compound makes it useful in various chemical processes.

  • An amphiprotic substance can react with both acids and bases.

  • Water is an amphiprotic molecule because it can act as both an acid and a base.

  • The amphiprotic nature of the compound makes it useful in various chemical processes.

  • Some ions are amphiprotic, meaning they can both donate and accept protons during reactions.

Synonyms

amphoteric
vsamphiprotic
  • Specialized
9.9

Able to act like an acid or a base in chemical reactions

focuses on donating or accepting a proton in reactions

Surface Forms

amphiprotic positive

Morphology

amphiprotic = protic (semi-transparent) = amphi + proton + ic

Formed from the prefix 'amphi-' (both) + the adjective 'protic' (relating to protons); the parts are compositional but technical, so not fully transparent to general learners.

Etymology

Amphiprotic starts with Greek amphi- meaning 'both', as in amphibian, and ends with proton, the hydrogen particle a substance can give or take, so an amphiprotic substance can both give and take a proton.