Bicarbonate Ion: Acid or Base?

Question

I know that the Bicarbonate ion HCO3- can be a base and accept a H+ to become carbonic acid, but can it lose the H+ it already has and become CO3-, in which act like an acid?

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Answer 1 · 2018-07-31T05:26:48

The bicarbonate ion is amphiprotic, meaning it can react as an acid or a base

$H C O_{3}^{-} + H_{2} O \to H_{2} C O_{3} + O H^{-}$ $HCO_3^(- )+H_2O->H_2CO_3+OH^-$

$H C O_{3}^{-} + H_{2} O \to C O_{3}^{- 2} + H_{3} O^{+}$ $HCO_3^(-)+H_2O-> CO_3^(-2)+H_3O^+$

Answer 2 · 2018-07-31T05:43:06

Well, it's both mate....

In acidic solution bicarbonate ion would act as a proton acceptor...

$H C O_{3}^{-} + H_{3} O^{+} \to C O_{2} (g) ↑ ⏐ ⏐ + 2 H_{2} O (l)$ $HCO_3^(-) + H_3O^+ rarr CO_2(g)uarr+ 2H_2O(l)$

In basic solution bicarbonate ion would act as a proton donor...

$H C O_{3}^{-} + H O^{-} \to C O_{3}^{2 -} + H_{2} O (l)$ $HCO_3^(-) + HO^(-) rarr CO_3^(2-)+ H_2O(l)$