amphoterism
Sign in to saveIn chemistry, an amphoteric compound () is a molecule or ion that can react both as an acid and as a base. What exactly this can mean depends on which definitions of acids and bases are being used.
AI overview
An amphoteric compound is a chemical substance that can act as either an acid or a base depending on what it's reacting with, making it unusually versatile in chemical reactions. This matters because understanding which substances can switch roles helps chemists predict how different materials will behave and interact with each other.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Etymology and terminology
- Amphiprotism
- Ampholytes
- Amphiprotic molecules
- Examples
- Oxides
- Hydroxides
- See also
- References
In chemistry, an amphoteric compound () is a molecule or ion that can react both as an acid and as a base. What exactly this can mean depends on which definitions of acids and bases are being used.
==Etymology and terminology== Amphoteric is derived from the Greek word () meaning "both". Related words in acid-base chemistry are amphichromatic and amphichroic, both describing substances such as acid-base indicators which give one colour on reaction with an acid and another colour on reaction with a base.