Which of the following is a set of amphiprotic species ?

Options

A. `H_(3)O^(+),HPO_(4)^(2-),HCO_(3)^(-)`
B. `H_(2)O,HPO_(3)^(2-),H_(2)PO_(2)^(-)`
C. `HSO_(4)^(-),H_(2)PO_(4)^(-),H_(2)PO_(3)^(-)`
D. Both (B) and (C )

Answer

C

Explanation

Amphiprotic species can undergo hydrolysis to form `OH^(-)` and can ionise to form `H_(3)O^(+)` ions.
In set (A ) both `HPO_(3)^(2-)` and `HPO_(2)` cannot be hydrolysed to form `OH^(-)` ions.
In set (B) both `HPO_(3)^(2-)` and `H_(2)PO_(2)^(-)` can not be ionised to form `H_(3)O^(+)` ions. As `H_(3)PO_(2)` is monoprotic and `H_(3)PO_(3)` is diprotic. All the species in set (C ) are amphiprotic.