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Properties of Citric Acid

Understanding the physical and chemical nature of our organic acid product

Physical Properties

  • Appearance: White crystalline powder or colorless translucent crystals
  • Odorless with strongly acidic taste
  • Soluble in water and alcohol; slightly soluble in ether
  • Specific Gravity: 1.542
  • Melting Point: ~153°C (anhydrous form)
  • Efflorescent in dry air (monohydrate)

Chemical Properties

  • Chemical Formula: C₆H₈O₇ (Anhydrous), C₆H₈O₇·H₂O (Monohydrate)
  • pH (1% solution): ~2.2
  • Reacts with bases to form citrates (e.g., sodium, potassium citrates)
  • Non-toxic and biodegradable
  • Decomposes above 175°C into aconitic and acetonedicarboxylic acids

Specification Snapshot

Property Monohydrate Anhydrous
Molecular Weight 210.14 g/mol 192.12 g/mol
Moisture 7.5–9.0% ≤ 0.5%
Solubility Highly soluble Highly soluble
Assay 99–101% 99.65%
Heavy Metal ≤ 10 ppm ≤ 0.002%
Oxalate ≤ 100 ppm ≤ 0.045%

Form & Function

Citric acid is available in Monohydrate and Anhydrous forms — chemically identical in acidity and reactivity, but differing in stability and moisture content.

The Monohydrate form is stable in humid air, while the Anhydrous form is better suited for dry or moisture-sensitive applications. This distinction makes citric acid versatile across varied processing needs, from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals, personal care, and heavy industry.

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