Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of fine chemicals. Headquartered in Jinan, Shandong, China, we are committed to delivering high-quality products to our global partners. Currently, over 90% of our products are exported to developed markets, including North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East.
Product Description
Carbonic acid (CAS: 463-79-6), also known as acid of air or aerial acid, is a weak inorganic acid with the formula H?CO?. It is usually a colorless substance that is unstable and easily decomposes into carbon dioxide (CO?) and water (H?O), especially in aqueous solutions. It is naturally formed in small amounts when CO? dissolves in water and plays important roles in physiology, environmental chemistry, and daily life.
Uses
Daily & Food Applications: The main component of carbonated beverages, providing the characteristic fizz; used as a mild preservative and pH adjuster in food processing to inhibit bacterial growth.
Physiological & Industrial Applications: Key component of the bicarbonate buffer system in mammalian blood, maintaining acid-base homeostasis; used in water treatment and industrial processes as a pH buffer; also used in lung function tests and as a protective gas in welding.
Molecular Formula & Structure
- Molecular Formula: H?CO?
- Molecular Weight: 62.03 g/mol
- Synonyms: Acid of air; Aerial acid; Dihydrogen carbonate;
- Chemical Structure: A planar molecule composed of one carbon atom bonded to two hydroxyl groups (-OH) and one carbonyl group (C=O), forming dimers linked by strong hydrogen bonds; it is a diprotic acid with two acidic hydrogen atoms.
Physical & Chemical Properties
- Appearance: Colorless gas or crystalline solid (pure form); only stable in solution.
- Density: 1.668 g/cm3 (pure solid); 1.0 g/cm3 (dilute aqueous solution); Melting Point: -53 °C (sublimes); decomposes at 127 °C.
- Solubility: Only stable in water, reacting with water to form an equilibrium mixture with CO?; not soluble in non-polar solvents.
- Stability: Highly unstable; decomposes rapidly into CO? and H?O, especially in aqueous solutions; stable only under specific low-temperature and high-pressure conditions.
- Toxicity: Non-toxic; excessive intake may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort due to CO? accumulation.
Synthesis & Storage
- Synthesis: Industrially prepared by reacting CO? with water under catalytic conditions; pure solid form can be obtained by reacting hydrogen chloride with potassium bicarbonate at low temperature or proton irradiation of solid CO?.
- Storage: Stored as an aqueous solution in sealed containers; kept in a cool, low-temperature environment; avoid high temperature and agitation to prevent decomposition; shelf life is short (1-2 weeks for aqueous solutions).
- Safety: Operate in well-ventilated environment; avoid contact with strong bases; handle gently to prevent CO? gas accumulation.
...
Product
