AMPHIPROTIC SPECIES

WHAT ARE AMPHIPROTIC SPECIES?

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Comments

Amphiprotic species are those which can act as both acid and base by accepting or donating proton. For example, $HSO_{4}^{-}$ is an amphiprotic species.

$\color{#D61F06}{HSO_{4}^{-}+H^{+}\rightarrow H_{2}SO_{4}}$

$\color{#20A900}{\text{Working as base}}$

(Although equilibrium constant $(K_{b})$ is very small in this reaction, as $H_{2}SO_{4}$ is a strong acid.)

$\color{#D61F06}{HSO_{4}^{-}+OH^{-}\rightarrow SO_{4}^{2-}+H_{2}O}$

$\color{#20A900}{\text{Working as acid}}$

(Equilibrium constant is better in this case, as $H_{2}SO_{4}$ is a dibasic strong acid, and it furnishes both $H^{+}$ easily)