adjective
- Capable of reacting as either an acid or a base; having both acidic and basic properties.
Usage: chemistry; technical
Examples
- Water is an amphoteric substance because it can donate or accept protons.
- Aluminum oxide is amphoteric and reacts with both acids and bases.
- In chemistry class, we learned that amphoteric compounds play an important role in acid-base equilibria.
- The amphoteric nature of amino acids allows them to function in various biological environments.
- Zinc hydroxide is amphoteric, dissolving in excess strong base to form a soluble complex.