Citric acidCAS#77-92-9
1. High Solubility & Versatility：
It is highly soluble in water and ethanol, making it ideal for use as an acidulant, preservative, and stabilizer in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
2. Industrial Applications：
Widely used in food processing, pharmaceuticals, and cleaning products, citric acid serves as a preservative, pH regulator, and flavor enhancer.
3. Hygroscopic & Stable：
Citric acid absorbs moisture from the air but remains stable when stored at 2-8°C, with a high melting point (153-159°C) and boiling point (248°C).
4. Acidic & Safe：
With a low pH, it is effective in various applications. However, it may irritate skin and eyes, requiring safe handling.
Anhydrous citric acid is a naturally occurring substance and an intermediate metabolite in the physiological processes of both plants and animals. It is also one of the most extensively utilized organic acids in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. This compound appears as colorless, transparent, or semi-transparent crystals, as well as granular or fine powder.
It is odorless, with a pronounced sour taste that is pleasantly tart yet slightly astringent afterward. When exposed to warm air, it gradually loses moisture (weathers), and in humid conditions, it shows slight deliquescence.
Melting point | 153-159 °C (lit.) |
Boiling point | 248.08°C (rough estimate) |
density | 1.67 g/cm3 at 20 °C |
bulk density | 560kg/m3 |
vapor density | 7.26 (vs air) |
vapor pressure | <0.1 hPa (20 °C) |
refractive index | 1.493~1.509 |
FEMA | 2306 | CITRIC ACID |
Fp | 100 °C |
storage temp. | 2-8°C |
solubility | Citric acid also dissolves in absolute (anhydrous) ethanol (76 parts of citric acid per 100 parts of ethanol) at 15 °C. |
form | grit |
pka | 3.14(at 20℃) |
color | White |
PH | 3.24(1 mM solution);2.62(10 mM solution);2.08(100 mM solution); |
Odor | Odorless |
biological source | synthetic |
Odor Type | odorless |
explosive limit | 8%, 65°F |
soluble in Water (1174g/L at 10°C, 1809g/L at 30°C, 3825g/L at 80°C). | |
Sensitive | Hygroscopic |
λmax | λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.20 |
Merck | 14,2326 |
JECFA Numbr | 218 |
BRN | 782061 |
Stability: | Stable. Incompatible with bases, strong oxidizing agents, reducing agents, metal nitrates. |
InChIKey | KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
LogP | -1.64 |
CAS DataBase Reference | 77-92-9(CAS DataBase Reference) |
NIST Chemisty Reference | 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-(77-92-9) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Citric acid (77-92-9) |
Safety Information
Hazard Codes | Xi,C,T |
Risk Statements | 41-36/37/38-36/38-37/38-34-36-35-61-60 |
Safety Statements | 26-39-37/39-24/25-36/37/39-45-36-53 |
RIDADR | UN 1789 8/PG 3 |
WGK Germany | 1 |
RTECS | GE7350000 |
F | 9 |
TSCA | Yes |
HS Code | 2918 14 00 |
Hazardous Substances Data | 77-92-9(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 in mice, rats (mmol/kg): 5.0, 4.6 i.p. (Gruber, Halbeisen) |
