Acids are chemical compounds containing hydrogen atoms that can be replaced by metal particles and an acidic residue. They can also be defined as substances that can react with a chemical base to form s alt and water.
There are two main types of these connections: strong and weak. They can also be classified as mineral and organic acids depending on their chemical composition. The main difference between the two is that the former are inorganic compounds made up of various combinations of chemical elements, while the latter are a combination of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Definition
Mineral acid is a substance synthesized from one or more inorganic compounds. It releases hydrogen ions in solution, from which, in turn, hydrogen can be displaced by the metal to form a s alt. Different acids have different formulas. For example, sulfuric acid is H2SO4, nitric acid is HNO3.
S alts of mineral acids are found inside living organisms, dissolved in water (in the form of ions) or are insolid state (for example, calcium and phosphorus s alts in the composition of the human skeleton and most vertebrates).
One common characteristic of all acids is that they always have at least one hydrogen atom in their molecule. All of them participate in the neutralization reaction, reacting with bases and forming s alts and water. Other properties of acids are sour taste and the ability to cause discoloration of some dyes. A typical example of this is the color change of litmus paper from blue to red.
Mineral acids are highly soluble in water. They are absolutely immiscible with organic solvents. Most of them are very aggressive.
List of inorganic acids
Minerals include the following substances:
- Muriatic acid - HCl.
- Nitric acid - HNO3.
- Phosphoric acid - H3PO4.
- Sulfuric acid - H2SO4.
- Boric acid - H3BO3.
- Hydrofluoric acid - HF.
- Hydrobromic acid - HBr.
- Perchloric acid - HClO4.
- Hydroiodic acid - HI.
The so-called reference acids - hydrochloric, sulfuric and nitric - are the most commonly used. Let's take a closer look next.
Hydrochloric acid
A concentrated substance is an aqueous solution containing about 38% hydrogen chloride (HCl). It has a pungent odor and causes burns to the respiratory system and eyes. Hydrochloric acid is not classified as an oxidizing or reducing agent. However, when mixed with, for example,sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or potassium permanganate, it releases toxic chlorine gas.
As a non-oxidizing acid, HCl dissolves most base metals, releasing flammable hydrogen gas.
Nitric acid (HNO3)
Nitric acid is available as a concentrated solution (68-70%, 16 M) and in anhydrous form (100%). It is a strong oxidizing agent. Properties are retained even if it is sufficiently diluted and is at room temperature. This substance oxidizes most organic compounds, turning into nitrous oxide. It can form explosive mixtures with almost any organic compound.
Concentrated nitric acid reacts violently with organic material, resulting in outgassing and potential pressure buildup, followed by rupture of the vessel if the vessel is not properly vented. Oxidation reactions with some organic solvents can form explosive nitrates.
Nitric acid reacts with most metals, releasing either gaseous hydrogen or nitrogen oxides, depending on the concentration and type of reagent. It does not dissolve gold and platinum.
Mixing nitric acid and hydrochloric acid will produce brown fumes made up of toxic nitrogen oxides.
Substance causes yellow spots on the skin.
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Concentrated substanceoften supplied in 98% solution (18M). It is a strong oxidizer, hygroscopic and strong dehydrating agent.
The diluted substance reacts with metals like other mineral acids, releasing hydrogen gas. The concentrated compound can also dissolve some noble metals such as copper, silver, and mercury, releasing sulfur dioxide (SO2). Lead and tungsten do not react with sulfuric acid.
Due to its strong oxidizing and dehydrating ability, it reacts violently with many organic chemicals, resulting in gas evolution.
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
Pure orthophosphorus compound is a water-soluble crystalline solid. The acid, most commonly sold as an 85% aqueous solution, is viscous, non-volatile, and odorless. It is less reactive than the other mineral acids discussed above.
Dissolving in water, the substance makes the liquid viscous and viscous.
Use of mineral acids
Inorganic acids range from strong acids (sulphuric) to very weak acids (boric). They tend to be water soluble and immiscible with organic solvents.
Mineral acids are used in many sectors of the chemical industry as raw materials for the synthesis of other chemicals, both organic and inorganic. A large number of them, especially sulfuric, nitrogenous and hydrochloric,produced for commercial use in large factories.
They are also widely used because of their corrosive properties. For example, a dilute hydrochloric acid solution is used to remove deposits inside boilers. This process is known as descaling.
In everyday life, sulfuric acid can be used for car batteries and surface cleaning. Just a few decades ago, people regularly bought bottles of the substance to recharge their car batteries.
Nitric acid (HNO3) is used in dry cleaning. Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is used in the manufacture of matches.
Resemblance
Between inorganic and organic acids, there are characteristics that combine them into one group. Their list is as follows:
- Can release protons (H ions).
- React with chemical bases.
- Have strong and weak acidity.
- Dye blue litmus paper red.
- Interaction of acids and minerals.
Differences
The following discrepancies should be highlighted between inorganic and organic acids:
- Definition. Mineral acids are substances derived from inorganic compounds. Organic acids are organic compounds that have acidic properties.
- Origin. Most mineral acids are not of biological origin, such as mineralsources. With organic compounds, the opposite is true.
- Solubility. Most mineral acids are highly soluble in water. Organic compounds do not mix well with liquid.
- Acidity. Most mineral acids are strong. Organic - usually weak.
- Chemical composition. Mineral acids may or may not have carbon atoms in their structure. They are always present in organic compounds.
The article presents data on acids and their properties.
