Is Citric Acid Fully in Conjugate Base Form at pH >5.41?

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SUMMARY

Citric acid, a triprotic acid, has a pKa3 of 5.41, indicating that at a pH greater than 5.41, it does not exist entirely in its conjugate base form (A3-). At pH 5.41, the concentrations of the second deprotonated form (HA2-) and the fully deprotonated form (A3-) are equal. This relationship is crucial for understanding the behavior of weak acids in solution, as detailed in the referenced resource on acid-base titration indicators.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of triprotic acids and their dissociation constants
  • Familiarity with pH and its relationship to acid-base equilibria
  • Knowledge of weak acid behavior in solution
  • Basic grasp of acid-base titration concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the dissociation constants of triprotic acids, focusing on citric acid
  • Learn about the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and its applications
  • Explore the concept of pH indicators and their role in titrations
  • Investigate the implications of buffer solutions in maintaining pH levels
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and professionals involved in analytical chemistry or biochemistry, particularly those interested in acid-base equilibria and titration techniques.

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Homework Statement



just a curosity of mine. citric acid is triprotic, with a pKa3 of 5.41, so does this mean that i will be inf ull conjugate base form(3-) at solution pH >5.41



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The Attempt at a Solution

 
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No, at pH 5.41, [HA2-] = [A3-]. It always works this way.

Check out this page: titrations.info/acid-base-titration-indicators

While discussion there is about pH indicators, equation 2 describes every weak acid you can think of.
 

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