How does #"boric acid"#, #H_3BO_3# behave in water?

1 Answer
Jan 14, 2016

Boric acid is a weak monoprotic acid in water.

Explanation:

Boric acid is a weak, monoprotic acid in water, whose #pK_(a1)# #=# #9.24#. To titrate this successfully in aqueous solution, often quantities of mannitol are added (the mannitol is added in excess), which reacts with the boric acid to give an hydroxy species that is a much stronger acid, and which thus may be titrated by conventional means (i.e. with aqueous sodium hydroxide).