Molecular autoionization

This article is about molecular autoionization in solution chemistry by reaction of two identical molecules. For autoionization of a single atom or molecule (a different process studied in physics), see autoionization.

In chemistry, molecular autoionization (or self-ionization) is a chemical reaction between molecules of the same substance to produce ions. If a pure liquid partially dissociates into ions, it is said to be self-ionizing.[1]: 163  In most cases the oxidation number on all atoms in such a reaction remains unchanged. Such autoionization can be protic (H+
 transfer), or non-protic.

  1. ^ Housecroft C.E.; Sharpe A.G. (2005). Inorganic Chemistry (2nd ed.). Pearson. ISBN 0130-39913-2.