What is the Difference Between Amphiprotic and Polyprotic?

The main difference between amphiprotic and polyprotic substances lies in their ability to donate or accept protons. Here is a summary of their characteristics:

Amphiprotic:

• Can both donate and accept protons.
• Examples include amino acids, proteins, and water.
• Can act as either an acid or a base.
• More specific than amphoteric substances, which can also act as both an acid and a base.

Polyprotic:

• Can donate or accept more than one proton.
• Examples include phosphoric acid, sulfurous acid, sulfuric acid, and phosphate ion.
• Polyprotic acids have more than one ionizable proton, and their conjugate bases are amphoteric species.
• Include both polyprotic acids and polyprotic bases.

In summary, amphiprotic substances can act as both proton donors and acceptors, while polyprotic substances can donate or accept multiple protons. Some substances can be both amphiprotic and polyprotic, depending on the context and the molecule in question.

Comparative Table: Amphiprotic vs Polyprotic

The main difference between amphiprotic and polyprotic compounds lies in their ability to donate or accept protons. Here is a summary of their differences:

Amphiprotic compounds can act as both a proton donor and a proton acceptor, while polyprotic compounds can donate or accept more than one proton. Some amphiprotic substances can also be considered amphoteric, meaning they can act as both an acid and a base. Polyprotic acids, on the other hand, contain more than one ionizable proton, and their conjugate bases are amphoteric species.