CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Chemical Reactions · Chemical Reactions
Problem
Citric acid, C6H8O7, is a triprotic acid present in citrus fruits. A food‐science laboratory wishes to neutralize a sample of citric acid solution with aqueous sodium hydroxide.
Assume the citric acid behaves as a monoprotic, diprotic, or triprotic species only through proton-transfer reactions; no redox or precipitation processes occur.
(a) Write the balanced molecular equation for the complete neutralization of aqueous citric acid with aqueous sodium hydroxide.
(b) Write the balanced net ionic equation for the reaction.
(c) Describe, in terms of proton transfer and overall charge balance, why three moles of NaOH are required per mole of citric acid for complete neutralization.