Page 30 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Organic acids
There are a large number of organic acids. Some of the most common include citric
acid (the juice in citrus fruits), tartaric acid and oxalic acid.
All organic acids are weak acids, because when
they are put in water only a small proportion of the
acid dissociates. Organic acids therefore make poor electrolytes. It is not possible to get a concentrated solution of hydrogen ions from a weak acid.
Many organic acids (including acetic, tartaric and citric acids)
fall in the group called the carboxylic acids. These acids react with strong bases such as sodium hydroxide to form salts that are more soluble in water than the acids themselves. Soap, for example, is a sodium salt that can be produced by reacting sodium hydroxide with carboxylic acid.
Fatty acids are the basis of fats and oils. Soaps, therefore, are usually manufactured from the esters in the fats and oils.
Acetic acid is important in the formation of cholesterol in the body.
Aromatic acids are another group of organic acids including, among other compounds, aspirin (a compound of salicylic acid). Ascorbic acid is vitamin C, while the bile acids act in the gut.
 This is a representation of tartaric acid. The two hydrogen atoms marked with the “❊” symbol will dissociate from the molecule when in water, which is what makes this compound a weak acid.
Oxygen
Carbon
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 Tartaric acid is found in grapes