tribasic acid
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of acid: A tribasic acid is a chemical compound that functions as an acid and contains three hydrogen atoms (H⁺ ions) per molecule that can be replaced (or donated) in a reaction with a base.
Usage
- Noun:
- This term is used specifically in chemistry to classify and describe acids based on their basicity, which is the number of replaceable hydrogen atoms.
- It is used to predict the stoichiometry of acid-base reactions, such as neutralization.
Examples
- Noun:
- Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) is a common example of a tribasic acid.
- To fully neutralize one molecule of a tribasic acid, three molecules of a base like sodium hydroxide are required.
Advanced Usage
- In chemical equations: The term clarifies reaction ratios. For instance, the complete neutralization of a tribasic acid "H₃A" is represented as: H₃A + 3 NaOH → Na₃A + 3 H₂O.
- In titration: A solution of a tribasic acid will have three equivalence points when titrated with a strong base, corresponding to the sequential loss of each hydrogen ion.
Variants and Related Words
- Basicity (n): The number of replaceable hydrogen atoms in an acid molecule. Tribasic acids have a basicity of three.
- Dibasic acid (n): An acid containing two replaceable hydrogen atoms per molecule (e.g., sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄).
- Monobasic acid (n): An acid containing one replaceable hydrogen atom per molecule (e.g., hydrochloric acid, HCl).
- Polyprotic acid (n): A broader term for any acid that can donate more than one proton per molecule; tribasic acids are a subset of polyprotic acids.
Synonyms
- Triprotic acid: This is a more modern and precise synonym, emphasizing the acid can donate three protons (H⁺ ions).
Noun
-
an acid containing three replaceable hydrogen atoms per molecule
