Ampholytes

Ampholytes are substances that behave as both acids and bases. They have the properties of neutral molecules with a free electron pair on an anion or an electronegative atom. A proton dissociates as well as binds (a proton does not exist as a separate particle). Ampholytes, for example: water, hydrogen anions (H2PO4−, HCO3−), conversion of amino acids into proteins (acid with –COOH and base with –NH2) bound in one molecule.

Related articles

 * Base
 * Theory of acids and bases
 * Approximate solubilities of ionic compounds