Acids are classified as monoprotic or polyprotic which of the following is a polyprotic acid?

Correct answer: D. H2CO3

  • A. CH3CO2H (aq)
  • B. HOCl (aq)
  • C. HCHO2
  • D. H2CO3

Explanation

H2CO3 is a polyprotic acid. It can donate two protons in separate dissociation reactions: H2CO3 ←→ H+ + HCO3- HCO3- ←→ H+ + CO32- These dissociation reactions show that carbonic acid can donate two protons sequentially, making it a polyprotic acid.

This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2010 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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About Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis Concepts

The Brønsted-Lowry concept defines acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors, producing conjugate acid-base pairs. The Lewis concept extends the idea to electron-pair acceptors and donors, so compounds such as BF3 and NH3 can be treated as acid and base even without proton transfer, unlike the Arrhenius definition.

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