Topic: Nature of Acid-Base Equilibria

It says here that amphoteric and amphiprotic are commonly used as synonyms. I know that amphoteric is a substance that can act as an acid or a base, and amphiprotic is a substance that may accept or donate protons... According to Bronsted-Lowry theory an acid is a proton donor while a base is a proton receiver, so the terms amphoteric and amphiprotic can be used interchangeably. Now, I'm just wondering if there is a situation where amphoteric may not be amphiprotic...is it possible? if so how? anyone has any idea?

Question

Topic: Nature of Acid-Base Equilibria

It says here that amphoteric and amphiprotic are commonly used as synonyms. I know that amphoteric is a substance that can act as an acid or a base, and amphiprotic is a substance that may accept or donate protons... According to Bronsted-Lowry theory an acid is a proton donor while a base is a proton receiver, so the terms amphoteric and amphiprotic can be used interchangeably. Now, I'm just wondering if there is a situation where amphoteric may not be amphiprotic...is it possible? if so how? anyone has any idea?

aaronq · Answer

hmm you would be looking at compounds that have coordination bonds to other substances, so they would have metallic (often transition metal) centers. 

Though, in general, these definitions aren't really important, so you shouldn't really worry about them.

anonymous · Answer

aah okay thanks! I just wanted to make sure I understand everything from my book .

aaronq · Answer

no problem!