What is Lactic Acid?
This article deals with the lactic acid formula. Lactic acid is an organic acid that appears in white color in its solid state. It is a colorless solution in its liquid state. Furthermore, the production of this acid consists of both artificial synthesis and natural resources. Moreover, lactic acid happens to be an alpha-hydroxyl acid because of the presence of the carboxyl group adjacent to the hydroxyl group.
Experts make use of lactic acid as a synthetic intermediate in various biochemical industries and organic synthesis industries. Furthermore, lactate refers to the conjugate base of lactic acid. The production of lactic acid takes place during fermentation from pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase. This acid is corrosive to tissues and metals. It also happens to be a good food preservative.
Derivation of Lactic Acid Formula
The chemical formula of lactic acid happens to be \(C_{3}H_{6}O_{3}\). Furthermore, the extended chemical formula of lactic acid is \(CH_{3}CH\left ( OH \right )CO_{2}H\). The classification of the molecule is as an alpha-hydroxy acid.
This is because it has a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a carboxylic group (-COOH) joint to the same atom. The central carbon is chiral. The other two substituent groups are a hydrogen atom and a methyl group. Therefore, there are two structures which are possible: the L-(+)-Lactic acid and the D-(-)-Lactic acid.
Physical Properties of Lactic Acid
Lactic acid appears either as a white powder or a colorless to yellow syrupy liquid. Furthermore, the density of lactic acid is \(1.029g mL^{-1}\). Moreover, the melting point of lactic acid happens to be 18 ºC. Also, the boiling point of this acid is 122 ºC. This acid is corrosive to metals. Lactic acid is soluble in ethanol and water.
Chemical Properties of Lactic Acid
Lactic acid happens to be a weak organic acid. Furthermore, lactic acid can react with other stronger acids. Moreover, an important characteristic of this acid is the double physical state. This double physical state includes the liquid state of the racemic mixture of D, L-lactic acid and solid white powder state of the enantiopure.
Preparation of Lactic Acid
The preparation of lactic acid takes place from two strategies: the biotechnological and synthetic methods. In the biotechnological method, the large scale production of this acid takes place by the fermentation of carbohydrates and nutrients. This fermentation is possible due to the microorganism of the genus Lactobacillus. The fermentation also results in the production of formic and acetic acid. The synthetic preparation of lactic acid takes place from carbon monoxide and acetaldehyde in acid solution. Moreover, this synthetic preparation takes place at a temperature of 130-200 ºC.
Uses of Lactic Acid
The usage of lactic acid takes place in medicine as an intravenous fluid that acts as an isotonic to resuscitate after blood loss. Furthermore, experts also use this acid as a raw material so as to produce various polymers. Lactic acid has a wide usage in the food industry. This acid is a good food preservative and flavoring agent. In the chemical industry, lactic acid is important in the manufacture of detergent and mosquitoes lure.
Safety Hazards of Lactic Acid
The lactic acid in high concentrations can cause irritation to the eyes. Furthermore, this acid can also irritate the mucous membrane. Moreover, this acid can be corrosive in case someone ingests it in high concentration. When the heating of lactic acid takes place in the presence of the diazo compound, the result can be the production of flammable or toxic gases. It can react with nitrites, sulfites, and thiosulfates to result in the generation of toxic gases. It can corrode various types of metals.
Solved Question For You
Question- What is Lactic Acid and its chemical formula?
Answer-Â Lactic acid is an organic acid that appears as a white powder or a colorless to yellow syrupy liquid. Furthermore, the chemical formula of lactic acid happens to be \(C_{3}H_{6}O_{3}\).
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