proton donor

A proton donor is a substance that can give away a proton (which is essentially a hydrogen ion, H⁺) during a chemical reaction. In the context of acids and bases, proton donors are often acids. When an acid dissolves in water, it releases protons into the solution, which can increase the acidity. For example, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) is added to water, it donates a proton to form hydronium ions (H₃O⁺). Understanding proton donors helps explain how different substances interact and influence the acidity or basicity of solutions.