Which of the following acids is dibasic?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following acids is dibasic?

Dibasic acids have two ionizable hydrogens that can be donated in solution. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) fits this because it has two hydrogens attached to oxygens that can dissociate: it first loses one proton to form HSO4−, and the HSO4− species can lose a second proton to form SO4^2−. That means it can furnish two protons, which defines dibasic behavior. In contrast, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid donate only one proton, so they are monobasic. Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) can donate three protons, making it triprotic, not dibasic.

Dibasic acids have two ionizable hydrogens that can be donated in solution. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) fits this because it has two hydrogens attached to oxygens that can dissociate: it first loses one proton to form HSO4−, and the HSO4− species can lose a second proton to form SO4^2−. That means it can furnish two protons, which defines dibasic behavior.

In contrast, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid donate only one proton, so they are monobasic. Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) can donate three protons, making it triprotic, not dibasic.

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