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Answer 1 · 2018-01-04T14:20:57

It is a base in contact with water, but it can act as both an acid and a base.

When you put bicarbonate #(HCO_3^-)# into water, it forms a basic solution.

However, bicarbonate can act both as an acid and a base.

Take a look at these two reactions for example.

#HCO_3^-)+OH^-+rightleftharpoonsCO_3^(2-)+H_2O#

#HCO_3^-)+H_3O^+rightleftharpoonsH_2CO_3+H_2O#

In the first reaction, bicarbonate acts an acid by donating a proton #(H^+)# and becoming the carbonate anion #CO_3^(2-)#.

In the second reaction, bicarbonate acts as a base by accepting a proton to become carbonic acid #(H_2CO_3)#.