How else can we write C6H8O7 (aq)? I know that this is citric acid, and I know that we can write it out as its extended formula, but how else could i name/write out this formula?
It can be written as H3C6H5O3 which shows it has three ionizable H^+ with the citrate ion being [C6H5O3]^3-
Appreciate you.
To name or write out the formula C6H8O7 (aq), which represents citric acid, you can also use the systematic IUPAC name. The IUPAC name for citric acid is 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid.
To understand how to derive the systematic IUPAC name, let's break down the structure of citric acid:
- It consists of a hydrocarbon chain with six carbon atoms (C6).
- This chain includes three carboxyl groups (-COOH), which are responsible for its acidity.
- It also has one hydroxyl group (-OH).
Based on these structural elements, we can name citric acid as follows:
- The hydrocarbon chain with six carbon atoms is called hexanoic acid.
- In hexanoic acid, one hydrogen atom of the methyl group (CH3) is replaced by a hydroxyl group (-OH), making it hydroxyhexanoic acid.
- Finally, as it has three carboxyl groups, it becomes 1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, resulting in the name 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid.
So, in addition to the formula C6H8O7 (aq), you can also write or name citric acid as 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid.