Final answer:
The process of removing a hydrogen ion from a compound is called deprotonation, which is crucial in acid-base chemistry and reflects the amphiprotic nature of certain species like water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of removing a hydrogen ion (proton) from a compound is known as deprotonation. This is a chemical reaction in which a proton is detached from a molecule, forming the conjugate base of the molecule. For example, in acid ionization, a reaction involving the transfer of a proton from an acid to water occurs. As a result, hydronium ions and the conjugate base of the acid are formed. An amphiprotic species is one that can either gain or lose a proton, depending on the reaction conditions. In the context of water, the dissociation of water is an equilibrium reaction where water molecules can donate protons to each other, reflecting its amphiprotic nature.