C5H7NO4

C5H7NO4 is the molecular formula for several chemical compounds, indicating a molecule containing five carbon atoms, seven hydrogen atoms, one nitrogen atom, and four oxygen atoms. One notable compound with this formula is citric acid, a weak organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits. Citric acid is widely used as a food additive, flavor enhancer, and preservative. It also plays a crucial role in cellular respiration as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle.

Another compound with the molecular formula C5H7NO4 is malic acid, an organic acid that contributes to the tartness of fruits such as apples and grapes. Malic acid is also involved in the citric acid cycle and is used in the food and beverage industry as an acidulant. The specific arrangement of atoms within the molecule determines its properties and applications. Isomers, molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements, can exhibit distinct chemical and physical characteristics.