A<unk>  (from German "Zwitter" — "hybrid," "hermaphrodite") is a chemical compound that is electrically neutral but carries formal positive and negative charges on different atoms.<unk> s are polar and usually have a high solubility in water and a poor solubility in most organic solvents.
Ampholytes are molecules that contain both acidic and basic groups (and are therefore amphoteric) and will exist as<unk> s at a certain pH. This pH is known as the molecule's isoelectric point. Ampholytic molecules make good buffer solutions — they resist change to the pH of a solution by selective ionization. In the presence of acids, they will accept the hydrogen ions, removing them from the solution. In the presence of bases, they will donate hydrogen ions to the solution, again balancing the pH.
Typical examples of<unk> s are:
Used as buffering agents most of which are included in Good's buffers:
The amino-sulfonic acid based MES, MOPS, HEPES, PIPES or CAPS
The amino-carboxylic acid (amino acid) based glycine, its derivatives bicine and tricine, and alanine
Used as detergents:
CHAPSO
Natural products like the alkaloids psilocybin and lysergic acid.
Betaines
The amino-sulfonic acid based MES, MOPS, HEPES, PIPES or CAPS
The amino-carboxylic acid (amino acid) based glycine, its derivatives bicine and tricine, and alanine
CHAPSO
Less common examples of<unk> s are:
Quinonoid<unk> s.
Drugs such as Fexofenadine (Allegra®).
Zwitterion
Depressant
Clathrate compound
Dioptrics
Tricyclic antidepressant
Atypical antipsychotics
Stimulant
Mood stabilizer