Why is sulfuric acid a Diprotic acid?
Furthermore, is sulfuric acid a Diprotic acid?
Diprotic acids, such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4), carbonic acid (H2CO3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), chromic acid (H2CrO4), and oxalic acid (H2C2O4) have two acidic hydrogen atoms. When sulfuric acid is classified as a strong acid, students often assume that it loses both of its protons when it reacts with water.
Acid | Name | 1 mM |
---|---|---|
H2SO4 | sulfuric acid | 2.75 |
HI | hydroiodic acid | 3.01 |
HBr | hydrobromic acid | 3.01 |
HCl | hydrochloric acid | 3.01 |
Keeping this in consideration, what does it mean when an acid is Diprotic?
Definition: A diprotic acid is an acid that can donate two proton or hydrogen atom per molecule to an aqueous solution. Examples: Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a diprotic acid.
There is no monoprotic acid. The starting acid, sulfuric acid (H2SO4), has two acidic protons. In other words, these acidic protons were attached to the sulfate molecule. Always remember that monoprotic acids can only donate one acidic proton, not two as in the case of this acid.