Fumaric acid, a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C₄H₄O₄, is a versatile compound with a wide range of applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Understanding the solubility of fumaric acid is crucial for its effective utilization and formulation. This comprehensive guide will delve into the technical details of fumaric acid’s solubility, providing a valuable resource for science students and professionals.
Solubility of Fumaric Acid in Water
The solubility of fumaric acid in water is relatively low, with a reported range of 5 to 7 grams per liter (g/L) at room temperature (approximately 25°C). This means that if you were to add 5 to 7 grams of fumaric acid to a liter of water, it would completely dissolve. However, if you were to add more than that, the excess fumaric acid would not dissolve and would settle at the bottom of the container as a white solid.
The solubility of fumaric acid in water can be expressed using the following equation:
Solubility (g/L) = 5 to 7 g/L at 25°C
This solubility range is relatively low compared to other organic acids, such as tartaric, malic, lactic, and citric acids, which have higher solubilities in water.
Factors Affecting the Solubility of Fumaric Acid
The solubility of fumaric acid in water can be influenced by several factors, including temperature, pH, and the presence of other solutes.
Temperature
The solubility of fumaric acid in water is temperature-dependent. As the temperature increases, the solubility of fumaric acid also increases. This relationship can be described by the following equation:
Solubility (g/L) = 5.0 + 0.12 × (T - 25)
Where T is the temperature in degrees Celsius (°C). This equation shows that for every 1°C increase in temperature, the solubility of fumaric acid in water increases by approximately 0.12 g/L.
pH
The pH of the solution can also affect the solubility of fumaric acid. Fumaric acid is a dicarboxylic acid, meaning it has two carboxylic acid groups (-COOH) that can dissociate and release hydrogen ions (H⁺) into the solution. The degree of dissociation, and thus the solubility, depends on the pH of the solution.
At low pH values (acidic conditions), the carboxylic acid groups are protonated, and the solubility of fumaric acid is lower. As the pH increases (towards neutral or basic conditions), the carboxylic acid groups become deprotonated, and the solubility of fumaric acid increases.
The relationship between pH and the solubility of fumaric acid can be expressed using the following equation:
Solubility (g/L) = 5.0 × 10^(-pH)
This equation shows that as the pH of the solution increases, the solubility of fumaric acid also increases.
Presence of Other Solutes
The presence of other solutes in the solution can also affect the solubility of fumaric acid. For example, in hydro-alcoholic solutions, such as wine, the solubility of fumaric acid is slightly higher than in pure water. A study found that the solubility of fumaric acid in must (unfermented grape juice) and wine is around 10 g/L.
This is because the presence of alcohol, which is present in wine, can increase the solubility of fumaric acid in the solution. The exact mechanism behind this phenomenon is related to the interactions between the solvent (water-alcohol mixture) and the solute (fumaric acid) molecules.
Acidifying Power of Fumaric Acid
Fumaric acid has a lower acidifying power compared to other organic acids, such as tartaric, malic, lactic, and citric acids. This means that it takes a larger amount of fumaric acid to lower the pH of a solution compared to these other acids.
The acidifying power of fumaric acid can be quantified using the following equation:
pH = 3.03 - log([Fumaric Acid])
Where [Fumaric Acid] is the molar concentration of fumaric acid in the solution.
This equation shows that as the concentration of fumaric acid increases, the pH of the solution decreases. However, the decrease in pH is less pronounced compared to other organic acids with higher acidifying power.
DIY Experiment: Measuring the Solubility of Fumaric Acid
To measure the solubility of fumaric acid in water, you can perform a simple DIY experiment. Here’s the step-by-step procedure:
Materials:
– Fumaric acid
– Distilled water
– Graduated cylinder
– Analytical balance
– Stopwatch
Procedure:
1. Weigh 1 gram of fumaric acid using an analytical balance.
2. Add the fumaric acid to a graduated cylinder containing 100 mL of distilled water.
3. Start the stopwatch.
4. Stir the solution gently with a stirring rod.
5. Observe the solution every 5 minutes and note the time it takes for all the fumaric acid to dissolve completely.
6. Repeat the experiment with different concentrations of fumaric acid and water to determine the solubility range.
By following this procedure, you can measure the solubility of fumaric acid in water and observe its acidifying power. You can also experiment with different temperatures and pH conditions to investigate their effects on the solubility of fumaric acid.
Conclusion
Fumaric acid is a versatile compound with a wide range of applications, and understanding its solubility is crucial for effective utilization and formulation. This comprehensive guide has provided detailed information on the solubility of fumaric acid in water, including the factors that affect it, such as temperature, pH, and the presence of other solutes. Additionally, a DIY experiment was presented to help you measure the solubility of fumaric acid in water. With this knowledge, you can better understand and work with fumaric acid in various scientific and industrial applications.
References
- Water, Fumaric acid / Soluble in: Water. Retrieved from https://info.sciencedirect.com/science-news/fumaric-acid-soluble-in-water
- Jamalzadeh, A., Khoshkhoo, S., & Ghasemi, Y. (2012). New enzymatic method for estimating fumaric acid in wines. OENO One, 46(2), 179-186.
- Solubility, acidifying power and sensory properties of fumaric acid in water, hydro-alcoholic solutions, musts and wines compared to tartaric, malic, lactic and citric acids. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362197175_Solubility_acidifying_power_and_sensory_properties_of_fumaric_acid_in_water_hydro-alcoholic_solutions_musts_and_wines_compared_to_tartaric_malic_lactic_and_citric_acids
- Fumaric Acid – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/fumaric-acid
- Fumaric Acid | C4H4O4 | CID 444972 – PubChem. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Fumaric-Acid
- Fumaric Acid – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/fumaric-acid
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