Definition of dipolar ions

See zwitterionic compounds.

zwitterionic compounds/zwitterions: Neutral compounds having formal unit electrical charges of opposite sign. Some chemists restrict the term to compounds with the charges on non-adjacent atoms. Sometimes referred to as inner salts, dipolar ions (a misnomer). See betaines, dipolar compounds, ylides. E.g. H3N+CH2C(=O) O ammonioacetate (glycine), (CH3)3N+-O- trimethylamine oxide


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