Question

Why do HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, etc., show acidic character in aqueous solutions while solutions of compounds like C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose) and C₂H₅OH (alcohol) do not show acidic character?

Answer 1

HCl and HN03 produce \[\ce{H+_{( aq)}}\] ions in aqueous solution, which are responsible for their acidic character.

\[\ce{HCl_{(aq)} -> H+_{( aq)} + Cl^-_{( aq)}}\]

\[\ce{HNO3_{(aq)} -> H+_{( aq)} + NO^-_{3 ( aq)}}\]

Alcohol (C₂H₅OH) and glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) are covalent compounds, and they do not undergo dissociation in aqueous solution. This is evident from the fact that their aqueous solutions do not conduct electricity. Hence, aqueous solutions of alcohol and glucose do not exhibit acidic character, even though they contain hydrogen atoms.