amphoteric

(ăm'fə-tĕr'ĭk)
adj.
Having the characteristics of an acid and a base and capable of reacting chemically either as an acid or a base.

[From Greek amphoteros, each of two, from amphō, both.]

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Describing a compound that can act as both an acid and a base (in the traditional sense of the term). For instance, aluminium hydroxide is amphoteric: as a base Al(OH)₃ it reacts with acids to form aluminium salts; as an acid H₃AlO₃ it reacts with alkalis to give aluminates. Oxides of metals are typically basic and oxides of nonmetals tend to be acidic. The existence of amphoteric oxides is sometimes regarded as evidence that an element is a metalloid. Compounds such as the amino acids, which contain both acidic and basic groups in their molecules, can also be described as amphoteric. Solvents, such as water, that can both donate and accept protons are usually described as amphiprotic (see solvent).

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IN BRIEF: adj. - Having characteristics of both an acid and a base and capable of reacting as either.

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describing a molecule that can react as acidic towards strong bases and as basic towards strong acids, e.g. an amino acid.

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Capable of acting as both an acid and a base; capable of neutralizing either bases or acids.

• a. sanitizing agents — long chain substituted amino acids or betaines, compatible with other detergents, sanitizers and hard water. Called also ampholytes.

For a list of words related to amphoteric, see:

• Chemical Properties and Reactions - amphoteric: (adj) capable of acting as an acid or base

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