10 Common Acids and Chemical Structures

Here is a list of ten common acids with chemical structures. Acids are compounds that dissociate in water to donate hydrogen ions/protons or to accept electrons.

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Acetic Acid

Acetic Acid: HC₂H₃O₂
Also known as: ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, AcOH.
Acetic acid is found in vinegar. Vinegar contains between 5 and 20 percent acetic acid. This weak acid is most often found in liquid form. Pure acetic acid (glacial) crystallizes just below room temperature.

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Boric Acid

Boric Acid: H₃BO₃
Also known as: acidum boricum, hydrogen orthoborate

Boric acid may be used as a disinfectant or pesticide. It's usually found as a white crystalline powder. Borax (sodium tetraborate) is a familiar related compound.

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Carbonic Acid

Carbonic Acid: CH₂O₃
Also known as: aerial acid, acid of air, dihydrogen carbonate, kihydroxyketone.

Solutions of carbon dioxide in water (carbonated water) may be called carbonic acid. This is the only acid excreted by the lungs as a gas. Carbonic acid is a weak acid. It is responsible for dissolving limestone to produce geological features such as stalagmites and stalactites.

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Citric Acid

Citric Acid: H₃C₆H₅O₇

Also known as: 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid.

Citric acid is a weak organic acid that gets its name because it is a natural acid in citrus fruits. The chemical is an intermediate species in the citric acid cycle, which is key for aerobic metabolism. The acid is widely used as a flavoring and acidifier in food. Pure citric acid has a tangy, tart flavor.

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Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric acid: HCl

Also known as marine acid, chloronium, spirit of salt.

Hydrochloric acid is a clear, highly corrosive strong acid. It's found in diluted form as muriatic acid. The chemical has many industrial and lab uses. Muriatic acid for industrial purposes typically is 20 to 35 percent hydrochloric acid, while muriatic acid for household purposes ranges between 10 and 12 percent hydrochloric acid. HCl is the acid found in gastric juice.

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Hydrofluoric Acid

Hydrofluoric Acid: HF
Also known as: hydrogen fluoride, hydrofluoride, hydrogen monofluoride, fluorhydric acid.

Although it is highly corrosive, hydrofluoric acid is considered a weak acid because it doesn't usually dissociate completely. The acid will eat glass and metals, so HF is stored in plastic containers. If spilled on skin, hydrofluoric acid passes through soft tissue to attack bone. HF is used to make fluorine compounds, including Teflon and Prozac.

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Nitric Acid

Nitric Acid: HNO₃
Also known as: aqua fortis, azotic acid, engraver's acid, nitroalcohol.

Nitric acid is a strong mineral acid. In pure form, it is a colorless liquid. Over time, it develops a yellow color from decomposition into nitrogen oxides and water. Nitric acid is used to make explosives and inks and as a strong oxidizer for industrial and lab use.

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Oxalic Acid

Oxalic Acid: H₂C₂O₄

Also known as: ethanedioic acid, hydrogen oxalate, ethanedionate, acidum oxalicum, HOOCCOOH, oxiric acid.

Oxalic acid gets its name because it was first isolated as a salt from sorrel (Oxalis sp.). The acid is relatively abundant in green, leafy foods. It's also found in metal cleaners, anti-rust products, and some types of bleach. Oxalic acid is a weak acid.

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Phosphoric Acid

Phosphoric Acid: H₃PO₄
Also known as: orthophosphoric acid, trihydrogen phosphate, acidum phosphoricum.

Phosphoric acid is a mineral acid used in home cleaning products, as a chemical reagent, as a rust inhibitor, and as a dental etchant. Phosphoric acid is also an important acid in biochemistry. It is a strong acid.

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Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric acid: H₂SO₄
Also known as: battery acid, dipping acid, mattling acid, Terra Alba, oil of vitriol.

Sulfuric acid is a corrosive mineral strong acid. Although normally clear to slightly yellow, it may be dyed dark brown to alert people to its composition. Sulfuric acid causes serious chemical burns, as well as thermal burns from the exothermic dehydration reaction. The acid is used in lead batteries, drain cleaners, and chemical synthesis.

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Key Points

Acids are common in daily life. They are found within cells and digestive systems, occur naturally in foods, and are used for many common chemical reactions.
Common strong acids include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid.
Common weak acids include acetic acid, boric acid, hydrofluoric acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, and carbonic acid.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Names of 10 Common Acids." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/common-acids-and-chemical-structures-603645. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Names of 10 Common Acids. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/common-acids-and-chemical-structures-603645 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Names of 10 Common Acids." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/common-acids-and-chemical-structures-603645 (accessed June 5, 2023).