7.2.2

Amphoteric Oxides - Reacting with Acids & Bases

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Amphoteric Oxides: Reacting with Acids and Bases

Amphoteric oxides react with both acids and bases to form salt and water. Al2O3 and ZnO are key examples.

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What are amphoteric oxides?

  • Amphoteric oxides react with acids and bases.
  • These oxides form salt and water in both reactions.
  • This behaviour shows both acidic and basic properties.
    • They differ from simple acidic or basic oxides.
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Examples of amphoteric oxides

  • Aluminium oxide, Al2O3, is an amphoteric oxide.
  • Zinc oxide, ZnO, also shows amphoteric behaviour.
  • Both oxides can react with hydrochloric acid (acid).
  • They can also react with sodium hydroxide (base).
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Aluminium oxide reactions

  • Al2O3 reacts with hydrochloric acid to form aluminium chloride and water.
  • Al2O3 reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium aluminate and water.
    • These reactions demonstrate aluminium oxide's amphoteric nature.
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Zinc oxide reactions

  • ZnO reacts with hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and water.
  • ZnO reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium zincate and water.
    • These reactions confirm zinc oxide's amphoteric behaviour.
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Importance of amphoteric oxides

  • Amphoteric oxides show both acidic and basic characteristics.
  • They help explain complex chemical behaviours.
  • Emphasising Al2O3 and ZnO helps understand salt formation.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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