Science, Tech, Math › Science Amphiprotic Definition in Chemistry Print Amino acids, such as arginine, are examples of amphiprotic molecules. theasis / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on January 07, 2019 Amphiprotic describes a substance that can both accept and donate a proton or H+. An amphiprotic molecule has characteristics of both and acid and a base and can act as either. It is an example of a type of amphoteric molecule. Amphiprotic Examples Examples of amphiprotic molecules include amino acids, proteins, and water. Amino acids and proteins have amine and carboxylic acid groups, giving them the ability to be either proton donors or acceptors. Water is self ionizable into H+ and OH-, so it is an excellent example of a molecule that accepts and donates a proton. Sources Housecroft, C. E.; Sharpe, A. G. (2004). Inorganic Chemistry (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. pp. 173–4. ISBN 978-0130399137.IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Amphiprotic Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-amphiprotic-604775. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Amphiprotic Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-amphiprotic-604775 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Amphiprotic Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-amphiprotic-604775 (accessed March 28, 2024). copy citation