Citric acid

Citric acid is a weak organic acid. It can be found in citrus fruits. It is used by organisms for Krebs cycle. It acts like a preservative when added to food. It is also used to add a sour (acidic) taste to foods and soft drinks. In the European Union it is known as E 330, as a food additive.

Citric acid
Zitronensäure - Citric acid.svg
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[[Image:
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Identifiers
CAS number 77-92-9
PubChem 311
EC number 201-069-1
DrugBank DB04272
KEGG D00037
ChEBI CHEBI:30769
RTECS number GE7350000
SMILES OC(=O)CC(O)(C(=O)O)CC(=O)O
Properties
Molecular formula C6H8O7
Molar mass 192.09 g mol-1
Appearance Crystalline white solid
Odor Odorless
Density 1.665 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
1.542 g/cm3 (18 °C, monohydrate)
Melting point

156 °C, 429 K, 313 °F

Boiling point
Solubility in water 117.43 g/100 mL (10 °C)
147.76 g/100 mL (20 °C)
180.89 g/100 mL (30 °C)
220.19 g/100 mL (40 °C)
382.48 g/100 mL (80 °C)
547.79 g/100 mL (100 °C)[2]
Solubility soluble in acetone, alcohol, ether, ethyl acetate, DMSO
insoluble in C6H6, CHCl3, CS2, toluene[3]
Solubility in ethanol 62 g/100 g (25 °C)[3]
Solubility in amyl acetate 4.41 g/100 g (25 °C)[3]
Solubility in diethyl ether 1.05 g/100 g (25 °C)[3]
Solubility in 1,4-Dioxane 35.9 g/100 g (25 °C)[3]
log P −1.64
Acidity (pKa) pKa1 = 3.13
pKa2 = 4.76
pKa3 = 6.39,[4] 6.40[5]
Refractive index (nD) 1.493–1.509 (20 °C)[2]
1.46 (150 °C)[3]
Viscosity 6.5 cP (50% aq. sol.)[2]
Structure
Crystal structure Monoclinic
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of
formation
ΔfHo298
−1548.8 kJ/mol[2]
Std enthalpy of
combustion
ΔcHo298
−1960.6 kJ/mol[6]
−1972.34 kJ/mol (monohydrate)[2]
Standard molar
entropy
So298
252.1 J/(mol·K)[6]
Specific heat capacity, C 226.51 J/(mol·K) (26.85 °C)[6]
Pharmacology
ATC code
Hazards
Main hazards skin and eye irritant
NFPA 704

NFPA 704.svg

1
2
0
 
Explosive limits 8%
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Citric acid crystals, magnified about 200 times, seen through a polarizing filter.

Carl Wilhelm Scheele was the first who could extract citric acid from lemons, in 1782. The substance was probably known to alchemists, perhaps with a different name. The Arabian alchemist Geber is said to have discovered citric acid in the 9th century. Citric Acid contains 6 Carbon atoms, 8 Hydrogen atoms and 7 Oxygen atoms. Its chemical formula is C6H8O7.

Main uses

Citric Acid Media

References

  1. CID 22230 from PubChem
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 CID 311 from PubChem
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named chemister.
  4. "Data for Biochemical Research". ZirChrom Separations, Inc. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  5. "Ionization Constants of Organic Acids". Michigan State University. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Citric acid in Linstrom, Peter J.; Mallard, William G. (eds.); NIST Chemistry WebBook, NIST Standard Reference Database Number 69, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg (MD), http://webbook.nist.gov (retrieved 2014-06-02)

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