The chemical formula of citric acid is C6H8O7.
Physical Properties of Citric Acid:
| Properties |
Details |
| Appearance |
White crystalline powder |
| Boiling Point |
Decomposes above 310 °C |
| Density |
1.665 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point |
156-159 °C |
| Odor |
Odorless |
| Solubility |
Highly soluble in water |
| Taste |
Sour |
Chemical Properties of Citric Acid
| Properties |
Details |
| Acid-Base Nature |
Weak organic acid, acts as a tribasic acid (three ionizable protons) |
| Biodegradability |
Biodegradable under normal environmental conditions |
| Chelating Agent |
Forms complexes with metal ions, such as calcium and iron |
| Chemical Formula |
C₆H₈O₇ |
| Molecular Weight |
192.13 g/mol |
| Reactivity |
Reacts with alkalis and bases to form citrate salts |
| Reducing Agent |
Can undergo oxidation-reduction reactions |
Reaction of citric acid with Alkali metal
| Alkali metal |
Reaction with citric acid |
| Lithium (Li) |
2C6H8O7 + 3LiOH react and convert into Li3C6H5O7 + 3H2O |
| Sodium (Na) |
3 C6H8O7 + 3NaOH react and convert into Na3C6H5O7 + 3H2O |
| Potassium (K) |
3 C6H8O7 + 3KOH react and convert into K3C6H5O7 + 3H2O |
| Rubidium (Rb) |
3 C6H8O7+ 3RbOH react and convert into Rb3C6H5O7 + 3H2O |
| Cesium (Cs) |
3 C6H8O7 + 3CsOH react and convert into Cs3C6H5O7 + 3H2O |
| Francium (Fr) |
No data available. |
Reaction of citric acid with Alkaline earth metal
| Alkaline earth metal |
Reaction with citric acid |
| Beryllium (Be) |
3 C6H8O7 + Be(OH)2 react and convert into Be3(C6H5O7)2 + 4H2O |
| Magnesium (Mg) |
3 C6H8O7 + Mg(OH)2 react and convert into Mg3(C6H5O7)2 + 4H2O |
| Calcium (Ca) |
3 C6H8O7 + Ca(OH)2 react and convert into Ca3(C6H5O7)2 + 4H2O |
| Strontium (Sr) |
3 C6H8O7+ Sr(OH)2 react and convert into Sr3(C6H5O7)2 + 4H2O |
| Barium (Ba) |
3 C6H8O7 + Ba(OH)2 react and convert into Ba3(C6H5O7)2 + 4H2O |
| Radium (Ra) |
No data available. |
Reaction of citric acid with Transition metal
| Transition metal |
Reaction with citric acid |
| Iron (Fe) |
3 C6H8O7 + 2FeCl2 react and convert into Fe3(C6H5O7)2 + 2HCl + 2H2O
3 C6H8O7 + 2FeCl3 react and convert into Fe3(C6H5O7)2 + 6HCl |
| Copper (Cu) |
3 C6H8O7+ 2CuSO4 react and convert into Cu3(C6H5O7)2 + 3H2SO4 |
| Zinc (Zn) |
3 C6H8O7+ ZnSO4 react and convert into Zn3(C6H5O7)2 + 3 H2SO4 |
| Nickel (Ni) |
3 C6H8O77 + 2NiSO4 react and convert into Ni3(C6H5O7)2 + 3 H2SO4 |
| Chromium (Cr) |
3 C6H8O77 + 2CrCl3 react and convert into Cr3(C6H5O7)2 + 6HCl |
| Manganese (Mn) |
3C6H8O7 + MnSO4 react and convert into Mn3(C6H5O7)2 + 3 H2SO4 |
| Cobalt (Co) |
3 C6H8O77 + 2CoCl2 react and convert into Co3(C6H5O7)2 + 2HCl + 2H2O |
| Titanium (Ti) |
C6H8O7+ TiO2 + 2H2O react and convert into Ti(C6H5O7)2 + 2H2O |
Reaction of citric acid with Non-transition metal/non-metal
| Non-transition metal/non-metal |
Reaction with citric acid |
| Carbon (C) |
C6H8O7+ C react and convert into C5H4O3CO2 + CO2 + 2H2O |
| Sulfur (S) |
C6H8O7+ 2S react and convert into H2S + 2SO2 + 2H2O |
| Phosphorus (P) |
C6H8O7+ P react and convert into P4O10 + 10H2O |
Reaction of citric acid with Non-metal
| Non-metal |
Reaction with citric acid |
| Chlorine (Cl) |
C6H8O7+ Cl2 react and convert into various products |
| Hydrogen (H) |
C6H8O7+ H2 react and convert into C6H14N2O3 |
| Sulfur (S) |
C6H8O7+ 2S react and convert into H2S + 2SO2 + 2H2O |
Reaction of citric acid with Metalloid
| Metalloid |
Reaction with citric acid |
| Boron (B) |
C6H8O7 + 3B2O3 react and convert into 2B(OH)3 + 3CO2 |
| Silicon (Si) |
C6H8O7+ 3SiO2 react and convert into C4H4O2 + 3CO2 + 3SiO2 |
