A particle that contains both positively charged and negatively charged groups. For example, amino acids (NH2-CHR-COOH) can form zwitterions (+NH3-CHR-COO-)

Zwitterion is the dipolar form of an amino acid which occurs when H+ion is transferred from an acid group to an amine group.Return to the Chemistry Glossary Index

A dipolar ion with spatially-separated positive and negative charges. For example, most amino acids are zwitterions, having a positive charge on the a

An ion that has a positive and negative charge on the same group of atoms. Zwitterions can be formed from compounds that contain both acid groups and basic groups in their molecules. Also known as ampholyte ions.

Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry Zwitterion: A molecule having a net formal charge of zero, but negative and positive formal charges on individual atoms within its structure. The charged atom [..]

'Zwitter' is german for 'hybrid', and zwitterions are chemical species that manage to be both cations and anions at the same time. How can this come about? Consider ammonium acetate (NH4CH3COO). It is a perfectly ordinary salt, and when dissolved in water splits into its two constituent ions, NH4+ and CH3COO-. These ions will be [..]

A dipolar ion containing ionic groups of opposite charge.

An ionic molecule with separate positive and negative charges, resulting in a net charge of zero.

(chemistry) A molecule, such as an amino acid, that carries both a positive and a negative charge.