The acids are compounds that either accept electrons or donate protons (H+) in aqueous solutions and the bases are compounds that donate electrons, accept protons (H+) or release hydroxyl ions (OH-) in aqueous solutions.
Here are examples of commonly used acids and bases, find out which acids are strong or weak and which bases are strong or weak.
30 Examples of the most common acids
In our day to day life we can find acidic substances in the household. Here are examples of acids with their formulas.
Examples of acids in everyday use
Many of the acids found in the home are part of the acids in foods, in medicines and in cleaning products.
1. Acetic acid or ethanoic acid CH3COOH: is the weak organic acid found in the vinegar we use in salads.
2. Acetylsalicylic acid C9H8O4is the active ingredient of aspirin, a drug used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
3. Ascorbic acid C6H8O6is the common name for vitamin C, which is found in fruits and vitamin supplements and is involved in healing and collagen synthesis.
4. Boric acid H3BO3 is a weak acid used as an insecticide, antiseptic and flame retardant.
5. Butyric acid CH3-CH2-CH2-COOH or butanoic acid is the fatty acid present in butter.
6. Carbonic acid H2CO3 is the acid found in carbonated beverages.
7. Citric acid C6H8O7 is an organic acid present in some fruits and an intermediate of cellular metabolism. The IUPAC name for citric acid is 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid.
8. Clavulanic acid C8H9NO5 is a drug used in combination with antibiotics of the penicillin family. Its effect is to block bacterial enzymes that destroy the antibiotic.
9. Folic acid C19H19N7O6 is an organic acid that occurs in the leaves of plants and is required in the synthesis of nucleic acids. The IUPAC name for folic acid is (2S)-2-[(4-{[(2-amino-4-hidroxipteridin-6-il-) metil] amino} phenyl) formamido]pentanedioic acid.
10. Hyaluronic acid C33H54N2O23 is a glucose derivative, a glycosaminoglycan, found in connective tissues. It is used in skin creams.
11. Oleic acid CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH is a fatty acid found in animal and vegetable fats, especially olive oil.
12. Oxalic acid C2H2O4 or ethanedioic acid is a dicarboxylic acid found in spinach leaves.
13. Uric acid C5H4N4O3 is a diprotic acid that is a product of nucleic acid metabolism. Its excess in the blood is known as hyperuricemia.
14. Tartaric acid HOOC-CHOH-CHOH-COOH or 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid is found in fruits such as grapes and bananas. It is used in cooking to regulate the acidity of foods.
Examples of acidic substances in chemistry and biology.
15. Arachidonic acid C20H32O2 or eicosatetraenoic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid found in cell membranes and is the precursor of prostaglandins.
16. Lactic acid H3C-COH-COOH is a weak organic acid product of glucose metabolism by lactobacteria to produce yogurt.
17. Retinoic acid C20H28O2 is an acid that is a product of vitamin A metabolism.
18. Linoleic acid C18H32O2 is an unsaturated fatty acid from which arachidonic acid is synthesized. It is found in walnuts and flaxseed.
19. Glutamic acid HOOC-CH(NH2)-(CH2)2-COOH is an acidic amino acid that is part of proteins.
20. Aspartic acid HOOC-CH2-CH(NH2)-COOH is an acidic amino acid that is part of proteins.
21. Hydrogen sulphide H2S is a volatile acid that is produced by bacterial metabolism under anaerobic conditions and also occurs in volcanic gases.
22. Ribonucleic acid RNA is a biological macromolecule involved in the transmission of genetic information to synthesize proteins. Its acidic character is given by the phosphate groups found on the chain.
23. Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA is a nucleic acid, the molecule that contains the genetic information of cells.
You may be interested to know the difference between strong and weak acids and bases.
Examples of strong acids
Strong acids are those compounds that ionize completely, i.e., they donate their proton completely to form an anion or negative ion.
24. Hydrochloric acid HCl.
25. Chloric acid HClO3
26. Perchloric acid HClO4
27. Sulfuric acid H2SO4: used in batteries.
28. Hydrofluoric acid HF.
29. Nitric acid HNO3.
30. Bromhydric acid HBr.
30 Examples of the most common bases
Examples of bases in everyday use
In the household we make use of bases and other alkaline substances for different purposes. Let us look at some examples.
1. Acetone or propanone H3(CO)CH3 behaves as a base, since it donates electrons. It is used in the household as a solvent and in cleaning.
2. Ammonia NH3, is used to clean ovens.
3. Caffeine C8H10N4O2 is a weak base central nervous system stimulant, found in coffee, tea and some stimulant beverages.
4. Aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)3 is a base used in medications to relieve heartburn by reacting with stomach HCl.
5. Magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2 is a base used in antacids.
6. Bicarbonate ion HCO3– is the conjugate base of carbonic acid. It is used in the household for cleaning and in the kitchen as an ingredient in baking powder.
7. Tartrate ion C4H4O62- is the conjugate base of tartaric acid. It is used as an antioxidant additive in the food industry and is part of cream of tartar.
8. Urea H2N(CO)NH2 or carbamide is a weak base found in urine.
Examples of bases in chemistry and biology
9. Adenine C5H5N5 is a purine-derived base that is part of DNA and RNA.
10. Aniline C6H5NH2 is an aromatic amine, a weak base used as a precursor to paracetamol and synthetic dyes such as indigo.
11. Arginine C6H14N4O2 is a basic amino acid that is part of proteins.
12. Lysine H2N(CH2)4CH(NH2)COOH is a basic amino acid that is part of proteins.
13. Pyridine C5H5N is a heterocyclic base, used as an alkaline solvent and as an insecticide precursor.
14. Purina C5H4N4 is a basic organic compound found in large quantities in red meat.
15. Thymine C3H6N2O2 is a nitrogenous base that is part of deoxyribonucleic acid.
16. Cytosine C4H5N3O is a nitrogenous base derived from pyrimidine that is part of DNA and RNA.
17. Guanine C5H5N5O is a nitrogenous base derived from purine that is part of nucleic acids.
18. Uracil C4H4N2O2 is a pyrimidine-derived nitrogenous base found in RNA.
Examples of strong bases
Strong bases are those that ionize easily. The strongest bases are those formed with alkali and alkali earth metals.
19. Lithium hydroxide LiOH.
20. Sodium hydroxide NaOH.
21. Potassium hydroxide KOH.
22. Ammonium hydroxide NH4OH.
23. Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2.
Barium hydroxide Ba(OH)2.
25. Beryllium hydroxide Be(OH)2.
26. Strontium hydroxide Sr(OH)2.
27. Hydroxide zinc hydroxide Zn(OH)2.
28. Iron hydroxide II Fe(OH)2.
29. Iron hydroxide III Fe(OH)3.
30. Sodium methoxide CH3O–Na+.
You may be interested in: Difference between acid and base and 74 examples of organic and inorganic compounds.
