Question

Give two examples of organic acid.

Answer 1

Organic acid:

1. Acid is a substance ( molecule or ion) that is capable of donating an ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ion ( or proton). It can be further categorized into two types on the basis of the pH value: organic (natural) and inorganic (synthetic).
2. Organic acids can be found in both plants and animals. These acids are found in nature.
3. They are weak acid that does not entirely dissociate in water.
4. Example: Acetic Acid (${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{COOH}$), oxalic acid ($\mathbf{HOOC}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{COOH}$)

${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\rightleftharpoons }{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COO}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

$\mathrm{HOOC}.\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\rightleftharpoons }\mathrm{HOOC}.{\mathrm{COO}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Therefore, two examples of organic acid are acetic acid (${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{COOH}$) and oxalic acid ($\mathbf{HOOC}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{COOH}$).