In other circumstances, a water molecule can donate a proton and thus act as a Brønsted-Lowry acid. For example, in the presence of the amide ion (see Example 4 in Section 10.2), a water molecule donates a proton, making ammonia as a product:
In this case, NH2− is a Brønsted-Lowry base (the proton acceptor).
So, depending on the circumstances, H2O can act as either a Brønsted-Lowry acid or a Brønsted-Lowry base. Water is not the only substance that can react as an acid in some cases or a base in others, but it is certainly the most common example—and the most important one. A substance that can either donate or accept a proton, depending on the circumstances, is called an amphiprotic compound.
A water molecule can act as an acid or a base even in a sample of pure water. About 6 in every 100 million (6 in 108) water molecules undergo the following reaction:
This process is called the autoionization of water (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)) and occurs in every sample of water, whether it is pure or part of a solution. Autoionization occurs to some extent in any amphiprotic liquid. (For comparison, liquid ammonia undergoes autoionization as well, but only about 1 molecule in a million billion (1 in 1015) reacts with another ammonia molecule.)
Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) Autoionization. A small fraction of water molecules—approximately 6 in 100 million—ionize spontaneously into hydronium ions and hydroxide ions. This picture necessarily overrepresents the amount of autoionization that really occurs in pure water.
Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)
Identify water as either a Brønsted-Lowry acid or a Brønsted-Lowry base.
H2O(ℓ) + NO2−(aq) → HNO2(aq) + OH−(aq)
HC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(ℓ) → H3O+(aq) + C2H3O2−(aq)
Solution
In this reaction, the water molecule donates a proton to the NO2− ion, making OH−(aq). As the proton donor, H2O acts as a Brønsted-Lowry acid.
In this reaction, the water molecule accepts a proton from HC2H3O2, becoming H3O+(aq). As the proton acceptor, H2O is a Brønsted-Lowry base.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)
Identify water as either a Brønsted-Lowry acid or a Brønsted-Lowry base.
HCOOH(aq) + H2O(ℓ) → H3O+(aq) + HCOO−(aq)
H2O(ℓ) + PO43−(aq) → OH−(aq) + HPO42−(aq)
Answer
1. H2O acts as the proton acceptor (Brønsted-Lowry base)
2. H2O acts as the proton donor (Brønsted-Lowry acid)
Concept Review Exercises
Explain how water can act as an acid.
Explain how water can act as a base.
Answers
Under the right conditions, H2O can donate a proton, making it a Brønsted-Lowry acid.
Under the right conditions, H2O can accept a proton, making it a Brønsted-Lowry base.
Key Takeaway
Water molecules can act as both an acid and a base, depending on the conditions.
Exercises
Is H2O(ℓ) acting as an acid or a base?
H2O(ℓ) + NH4+(aq) → H3O+(aq) + NH3(aq)
Is H2O(ℓ) acting as an acid or a base?
CH3−(aq) + H2O(ℓ) → CH4(aq) + OH−(aq)
In the aqueous solutions of some salts, one of the ions from the salt can react with water molecules. In some C2H3O2− solutions, the following reaction can occur:
C2H3O2−(aq) + H2O(ℓ) → HC2H3O2(aq) + OH−(aq)
Is H2O acting as an acid or a base in this reaction?
In the aqueous solutions of some salts, one of the ions from the salt can react with water molecules. In some NH4+ solutions, the following reaction can occur:
NH4+(aq) + H2O → NH3(aq) + H3O+(aq)
Is H2O acting as an acid or a base in this reaction?
Why is pure water considered neutral?
Answers
base
acid
acid
base
5. When water ionizes, equal amounts of H+ (acid) and OH− (base) are formed, so the solution is neither acidic nor basic: H2O(ℓ) → H+(aq) + OH−(aq)
[SIDE NOTE: It is rare to truly have pure water. Water exposed to air will usually be slightly acidic because dissolved carbon dioxide gas, or carbonic acid, decreases the pH slightly below 7. Alternatively, dissolved minerals, like calcium carbonate (limestone), can make water slightly basic.]