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Chemistry LibreTexts

Zwitterion

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A zwitterion, also known as inner salt or dipolar ion, is an overall neutral species in which two or more atoms bear opposite formal charges. (Some authors limit the term zwitterion to species in which opposite formal charges are not on adjacent atoms.) For a resonance-stabilized (see resonance theory) species to qualify as a zwitterion, all resonance forms must fit the definition of the zwitterion. The most common zwitterions are standard amino acids.

eg: The structural formula of glycine is 1.

zwitterion1.png

Pure glycine, however, exists exclusively as a zwitterion.

zwitterion2.png

see also betaine, ylide


This page titled Zwitterion is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gamini Gunawardena via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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