Question

Which of the following is not a mineral acid?

• A. Hydrochloric acid
• B. Citric acid
• C. Sulfuric acid
• D. Nitric acid

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Citric acid

Explanation for correct option:

B. Citric acid

Mineral acid:

• A mineral acid is inorganic in nature.
• It is an inorganic species that dissociates in water to give Hydrogen ions $\left({\mathrm{H}}^{+}\right)$.
• These acids are insoluble in organic solvents while highly soluble in water.
• Examples of mineral acids are Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$, Nitric acid$\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$ as well as Sulfuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$.

Thus, Citric acid$\left({\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_8{\mathrm{O}}_7\right)$ is not a mineral acid as it is organic in nature.

Explanation for incorrect options:

Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$, Nitric acid$\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$ as well as Sulfuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ are mineral acids while Citric acid$\left({\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_8{\mathrm{O}}_7\right)$ is not a mineral acid. Thus, the options A, C, and D are incorrect.

Hence, the correct option is B i.e. Citric acid.