The basicity of citric acid is 3.
Understanding Basicity
According to the provided information from February 25, 2019, the basicity of an acid is defined as its proton or hydrogen ion donating tendency. Specifically, basicity is the number of hydrogen ions (H⁺) an acid molecule can donate in a reaction.
For citric acid, this means that each molecule of citric acid is capable of donating three hydrogen ions. Acids that can donate three protons are known as triprotic acids.
Citric Acid: A Triprotic Acid
Citric acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₆H₈O₇. Its structure contains three carboxylic acid (-COOH) groups and one hydroxyl (-OH) group. The hydrogen atoms attached to the oxygen in the three carboxylic acid groups are acidic and can be donated, making citric acid a triprotic acid with a basicity of 3.
Here's a simple breakdown:
- Acidic Protons: Citric acid has three hydrogen atoms that are readily donatable.
- Donation: These three protons can be released sequentially in different dissociation steps.
- Basicity Value: The total number of donatable protons determines the basicity, which is 3 for citric acid.
This property is important in various applications, such as its use as a food additive, in cleaning products, and in chemical reactions where its acidic nature is utilized.
Key Information Summary
Here is a quick summary of the key facts regarding citric acid's basicity:
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Acid | Citric Acid | C₆H₈O₇ |
| Basicity | 3 | Number of donatable hydrogen ions (protons). |
| Acid Type | Triprotic | An acid capable of donating three protons. |
| Reference Date | 25-Feb-2019 | Date of the provided information regarding basicity. |
Understanding the basicity of citric acid helps explain its behavior in solutions and its reactivity as an acid.
