Question

The acids present in tamarind and vinegar are ___________and _________respectively.
A. Oxalic acid, acetic acid
B. Oxalic acid, tartaric acid
C. Tartaric acid, oxalic acid
D. Tartaric acid, acetic acid.

Answer 1

Hint: Think about the alternative names that are given to theses substances that are used daily. Associate the smell of each of these substances with acids that we find in our lab.

Complete step by step solution:
- The IUPAC name of acid present in tamarind is 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid and its chemical formula is ${{C}_{4}}{{H}_{6}}{{O}_{6}}$and the IUPAC name of acid present in vinegar is ethanoic acid and its chemical formula is ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{4}}{{O}_{2}}$.
- So, the common name of acid present in tamarind is tartaric acid and the common name of acid present in vinegar is acetic acid.
- The tartaric acid is a dicarboxylic acid and can also be used as natural preservatives for things like soft drinks, fruit juices and certain types of jams.
- Acetic acid is also used to produce ester.
- The other acid which is given in option is oxalic acid. The chemical formula of oxalic acid is ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{4}}$ and its IUPAC name is ethanedioic acid. It is organic acid and is present in tomatoes, spinach and other vegetables.

Hence, the correct answer to this question is ‘D. Tartaric acid, acetic acid.’

Note: Remember that oxalic acid is a weak acid as it gives less amount of hydronium ions when dissolved in water.Also, you should remember that acetic acid which contains very low amount of water is called anhydrous or glacial acetic acid.