What substance is characterized by a bitter taste and releases negatively charged hydroxyl ions (OH-) in water?

A substance that is characterized by a bitter taste and releases negatively charged hydroxyl ions (OH-) in water is classified as a base.

Bases, or alkalies, are known for their ability to accept protons (H+) or donate pairs of valence electrons, which is often linked to their taste profile. Common bases, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, exhibit these properties and contribute to the characteristic bitter flavor. When dissolved in water, they dissociate to produce hydroxyl ions, which can cause an increase in pH above 7, indicating basicity in the solution.

In contrast to bases, acids release positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) in solution and typically have a sour taste. Neutral solutions have a pH of around 7, indicating a balance between hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and salts are formed from the neutralization reaction between an acid and a base, resulting in a compound that does not possess the specific characteristics of either an acid or a base, such as the bitter taste or the release of hydroxyl ions.