Topic: monoprotic vs. polyprotic acids (Read 2141 times)

letoatreides3508 · « **on:** November 09, 2013, 05:08:02 AM »

Hi. This may strike many as a stupid question, but I was wondering how to distinguish between monoprotic and polyprotic acids based on their chemical formulas.. What I mean is

C₆H₈O₇ is citric acid, a triprotic acid. Is there a way I can tell how many of its 8 hydrogens are the acidic ions by breaking the formula into an overall ionic equation, or something?

Borek · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2013, 05:11:42 AM »

No way to find the answer based on the molecular formula.

letoatreides3508 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2013, 05:12:47 AM »

Quote from: Borek on November 09, 2013, 05:11:42 AM

No way to find the answer based on the molecular formula.

Then how is it determined?

Borek · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2013, 05:14:19 AM »

Based on the structural information, or experimentally.

Citric acid is

OC(=O)CC(O)(C(=O)O)CC(=O)O

so it has three carboxylic groups, that makes it triprotic.

Arkcon · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2013, 06:32:27 AM »

Here's an old posting of mine that sums the topic up well: http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=29784.msg113122#msg113122

Topic: monoprotic vs. polyprotic acids (Read 2141 times)

letoatreides3508

monoprotic vs. polyprotic acids

Borek

Re: monoprotic vs. polyprotic acids

letoatreides3508

Re: monoprotic vs. polyprotic acids

Borek

Re: monoprotic vs. polyprotic acids

Arkcon

Re: monoprotic vs. polyprotic acids

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