dibasic acid
Definition
- Noun:
- An acid containing two replaceable hydrogen atoms per molecule: A dibasic acid is a type of acid molecule that has two hydrogen atoms which can be replaced or neutralized by a base. This property allows it to form two series of salts, such as primary and secondary salts.
Usage
- Noun:
- Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a classic example of a dibasic acid.
- In the laboratory, we titrated the dibasic acid to determine its equivalent weight.
- The chemical formula indicates it is a dibasic acid because it has two ionizable hydrogen atoms.
Advanced Usage
- In Chemical Nomenclature: The term "dibasic" specifies the acid's capacity to donate protons. A dibasic acid can react with two equivalents of a base.
- Oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) is another common dibasic acid used in redox titrations.
- In Salt Formation: When a dibasic acid is partially neutralized, it can form an acid salt (e.g., sodium hydrogen sulfate, NaHSO₄, from sulfuric acid).
- The first dissociation of a dibasic acid is typically stronger than the second.
Variants and Related Words
- Monobasic Acid (n): An acid containing one replaceable hydrogen atom per molecule (e.g., HCl).
- Tribasic Acid (n): An acid containing three replaceable hydrogen atoms per molecule (e.g., H₃PO₄).
- Dibasic (adj): Describing a substance, typically an acid or salt, with two replaceable hydrogen atoms or a valence of two.
- The dibasic nature of the compound was confirmed by analysis.
Synonyms
- Diprotic Acid: A more modern term often used interchangeably in chemistry to describe an acid that can donate two protons (H⁺ ions) per molecule.
Related Phrases
- (To) behave as a dibasic acid: Describes the chemical action of an acid.
- Malonic acid can behave as a dibasic acid in aqueous solution.
Noun
-
an acid containing two replaceable hydrogen atoms per molecule
