Name of Water

[MOEkowo]

What is the name of water when viewed as an acid?

[himupnorth]

Pure water is by definition neutral i.e. has a pH of 7 and is neither acid nor alkali. This is because the atoms which make it up are covalently bonded (by sharing their "outer shell" electrons. When an impurity is addedthe water ionises (changes how it is bonded) to give a hydrogen (H+) ion and a hydroxyl ((OH)-) ion. Ok acids have H+ ions and alkalis often have (OH)- ions but water has both, in the right proportions and so is neutral. Until that is there is enough impurity for the liquid to be regarded as a very dilute solution of the impurity rather than very slightly impure water. Hope that helps.

[chakka35]

What do you mean, Zacsmaster, when you say that HCl is water-based?

[heathfield]

When water acts as an acid in a chemical reaction, it's sometimes termed Hydroxic Acid.

[kempie]

Take your pick:

2H + O (oxide ion) = hydroxic acid
H + OH (hydroxide ion) = hydrohydroxic acid
H + �OH group (hydroxyl group) = hydroxilic acid

[Docsteve]

A previous answer gave the simple H+ OH- description of water; which are the hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. The real situation is more complicated and you need two water molecules to produce H3O+ and OH-.
The H3O+ is known as the hydronium ion and this may the name of water as an acid you are searching for.
Bear in mind the previous comment that water is neutral and it takes an impurity to really change its behaviour.