Organic acids are a class of organic compounds that contain at least one carboxyl group (-COOH) in their molecular structure. They are commonly found in living organisms and play important roles in biochemical processes such as energy production, metabolism, and cellular signaling.
| Name/ Formular | Chiefly found in |
|---|---|
| Lactic acid C2H4OHCOOH | Sour milk |
| Acetic acid CH3COOH | Vinegar |
| Formic acid (Methanoic acid) HCO2H | Ant venom |
| Citric acid C6H8O7 | Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, orange |
| Oxalic acid H2C2O4 | Rhubarb, spinach |
| Butyric acid CH3CH2CH2-COOH | Milk, butter |
| Lauric acid CH3(CH2)10COOH | Coconut oil |
| Malic acid HO2CCH2CHOHCO2H | Sour apples, sour grapes |
| Tartaric acid C4H6O6 | Grapes, tamarinds, pineapples |
| Erucic acid CH3(CH2)7CH= CH(CH2)11COOH | Rapeseed oil, Mustard oil |
| 1. Acids have pH less than 7. | |
| 2. Acids turn blue litmus to red. | |
| 3. Acids have sour taste. | |
| Reactions | |
| With bases | Acids react with bases to produce a salt and water. |
| With carbonates | Acids react with carbonates to produce salt, water and carbon dioxide. |
| With metals | Acids react with metals to produce a salt and hydrogen. |