Citric Acid Is a Triprotic Acid with Three Carboxylic Acid

question 14

Multiple Choice

Citric acid is a triprotic acid with three carboxylic acid groups having pK_a values of 3.1, 4.8, and 6.4. If a solution of citric acid has a pH of 5.5, what can be said about the predominant protonation state of the citric acid?

• A)1 carboxylic acid group is deprotonated, 2 are protonated
• B)2 carboxylic acid groups are deprotonated, 1 is protonated
• C)all 3 carboxylic acid groups are deprotonated
• D)all 3 carboxylic acid groups are protonated
• E)the protonation state cannot be determined

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