Write chemical reactions to show the amphoteric nature of water.


The amphoteric nature of water can be described on the basis of the following reactions:

1) Reaction with H2S


The reaction takes place as:



In the forward reaction, water molecule accepts a proton from hydrogen sulphide and hence water acts as a Lewis base.


2) Reaction with NH3


The reaction takes place as:



In the forward reaction, water donates its proton to ammonia molecule and hence in this case water acts as a Lewis acid.


3) Self-ionization of water


The auto-protolysis reaction of water molecule exhibit the amphoteric nature of water molecule that is the molecule of water can acts as an acid as well as a base.


The acid-base reaction can be written as:



Thus the above mentioned reactions depict the amphoteric nature of water molecule.


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