Mineral acid

A mineral acid (or inorganic acid) is an acid derived from one or more inorganic compounds, as opposed to organic acids which are acidic, organic compounds. All mineral acids form hydrogen ions and the conjugate base when dissolved in water.

Characteristics

Commonly used mineral acids are sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO₃); these are also known as bench acids.^[1] Mineral acids range from superacids (such as perchloric acid) to very weak ones (such as boric acid). Mineral acids tend to be very soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents.

Mineral acids are used in many sectors of the chemical industry as feedstocks for the synthesis of other chemicals, both organic and inorganic. Large quantities of these acids – especially sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid – are manufactured for commercial use in large plants.

Mineral acids are also used directly for their corrosive properties. For example, a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid is used for removing the deposits from the inside of boilers, with precautions taken to prevent the corrosion of the boiler by the acid. This process is known as descaling.

Inorganic acids are often produced or processed in reactors, heat exchangers, and piping systems, where tantalum is used to prevent degradation and corrosion.^[2]

Examples

• Solutions of a hydrogen halide:
  • Hydrofluoric acid HF
  • Hydrochloric acid HCl
  • Hydrobromic acid HBr
  • Hydroiodic acid HI
• Nitric acid HNO₃
• Phosphoric acid H₃PO₄
• Sulfuric acid H₂SO₄
• Boric acid H₃BO₃
• Perchloric acid HClO₄
• Hydrogen cyanide HCN

References

1. Boyd, Claude E. (2020). "Acidity". Water Quality: 215–231. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-23335-8_11. ISBN 978-3-030-23334-1. S2CID 243255016.
2. "Properties and Applications of Tantalum". Advanced Refractory Metals. Retrieved Oct 1, 2024.