alleryStart learning →What word describes a species that can either gain or lose a proton?
APolyprotic, like phosphoric acid is
BMonoprotic, like hydrogen chloride
CAmphiprotic, like the bicarbonate
DConjugate, like the acetate anion
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Amphiprotic, like the bicarbonate
1. A species that can go either way in a proton transfer is called amphiprotic.
2. Water is the most familiar example, and the bicarbonate ion is another.
3. Bicarbonate gives a proton to water to make carbonate, and takes one to make carbonic acid.
4. Polyprotic describes how many protons an acid can shed, which is a different idea.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 14 "Acid-Base Equilibria", section 14.1 Brønsted-Lowry Acids and Bases_
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