Content
The acids make up an important group of chemical compounds, very wide. What defines the acid character is that these compounds can donate one or more hydrogen cations (H+) to another compound, known as base.
Because of this property of releasing hydrogen cations, acids produce solutions of pH less than 7. Acids that can release more than one proton are called polyprotic or polyfunctional.
See also: Examples of Acids and Bases
Properties
The tendency to lose protons is what determines thestrength of an acid.
Strong Acids: They are compounds with a great tendency to dissociation, in which nothing (or almost nothing) of the protonated acid remains in the solution. Strong acids they are usually corrosive, to the point that they can cause skin burns. In general they are very good electricity conductors.
Weak Acids: Weak acids, on the other hand, dissociate only partially, so that there is an equilibrium between the dissociated and the undissociated form.
Regarding their properties, acids can be presented as liquids or as gases, more rarely as solid. The acid taste that we can all recognize and that characterizes these compounds is found, for example, in citrus fruits, which are rich in citric acid, or in the vinegar, which is acetic acid. These are organic acids.
exist organic and inorganic acids; the strongest are usually inorganic ones. Many organic acids fulfill important biological roles, within the inorganic ones there is one, hydrochloric acid, which plays a very important role in the digestion process. Nucleic acids are also essential for life, being the basis of the genetic material of the cells and contain the key to protein synthesis.
Applications
Acids have many uses, both on an industrial scale and in the home. They are often used as additives andpreservatives in food, cosmetics, beverages, etc. Some acidic solids are used as catalysts (chemical reaction accelerators) in the petrochemical or paper industry.
There are also acids that are used as disinfectants (carbolic acid, salicylic acid). In addition, they can be used as electrolytes in car batteries, as is the case with sulfuric acid. The latter strong acid is also frequently used in mineral processing, such is the case of the production of fertilizers from rock phosphates.
It is worth clarifying that certain substances can only be solubilized in acidic media, and that certain reactions only occur under such conditions. Nitric acid and ammonia make ammonium nitrate, also an important fertilizer for crops.
Examples of acids
Twenty acids are listed below, by way of example:
- perchloric acid (HClO4) - is a strong acid liquid at room temperature, highly oxidizing.
- nitric acid (HNO3) - this is also a strong and intensely oxidizing acid, used to make certain explosives and also nitrogen fertilizers.
- ascorbic acid (C6H8OR6) - is vitamin C, so necessary for health. It is a protective substance for its antioxidant effects.
- hydrochloric acid (HCl) - is the only strong acid synthesized by the human body, specifically the stomach, to carry out the degradation of food in the digestive process.
- tartaric acid (C4H6OR6) - white crystalline powder, it is used in the preparation of effervescent drinks, in the bakery, wine and pharmaceutical industries. The cream of tartar that some recipes carry is tartaric acid.
- hydrofluoric acid (HFl) - due to its ability to attack glass, it is used in crystal carving and engraving, among other uses.
- sulfuric acid (H2SW4) - strong acid par excellence, it has infinite applications in various industries and synthesis processes.
- trifluoroacetic acid - it is a good solvent for many organic compounds
- phosphoric acid - present in low concentrations in various cola drinks, it is considered harmful to health as it promotes decalcification.
- acetic acid - Vinegar's main component, the acidity it creates makes it a widely used food preservative.
- fluoroantimonic acid - it is the strongest superacid known, exceeds the acidity of pure sulfuric acid by 1019
- chromic acid - dark red powder, participates in the chrome plating process; others are used to glaze ceramics and
- indoleacetic acid (AIA) - is the main representative of auxins, important plant growth hormones.
- deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) - is the one that holds the key to life, by forming the genes that govern the synthesis of countless proteins.
- tricarboxylic acid
- formic acid
- gluconic acid
- lactic acid
- benzoic acid
- malic acid
It can serve you: Acids and bases
