Mineral Acid Definition and List

Corrosive bench acids, such as sulfuric and nitric acid, are mineral acids.
Corrosive bench acids, such as sulfuric and nitric acid, are mineral acids. benoitb / Getty Images
by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Updated August 10, 2017

A mineral acid or inorganic acid is any acid derived from an inorganic compound that dissociates to produce hydrogen ions (H+) in water. Mineral acids are highly soluble in water, but tend to be insoluble in organic solvents. The inorganic acids are corrosive.

List of Mineral Acids

The mineral acids include the bench acids -- hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid -- so-called because they are the acids most commonly used in a laboratory setting. A list of the mineral acids includes:

  • Hydrochloric acid HCl
  • Nitric acid HNO3
  • Phosphoric acid H3PO4
  • Sulfuric acid H2SO4
  • Boric acid H3BO3
  • Hydrofluoric acid HF
  • Hydrobromic acid HBr
  • Perchloric acid HClO4
  • Hydroiodic acid HI