trikarboxylic

Trikarboxylic is a term used in chemistry to describe a molecule that contains three carboxyl groups. A carboxyl group is a functional group with the formula COOH, which consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group. Molecules with one carboxyl group are called monocarboxylic acids, and those with two are dicarboxylic acids.

Citric acid is a well-known example of a trikarboxylic acid. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and plays a central role in the citric acid cycle, a key metabolic pathway in aerobic respiration. Other examples include isocitric acid and aconitic acid, which are also intermediates in the citric acid cycle. Trikarboxylic acids can participate in various chemical reactions, including esterification and salt formation. Their acidic nature is due to the presence of the carboxyl groups, which can donate protons. The properties and reactivity of a trikarboxylic acid depend on the specific arrangement of the carboxyl groups within the molecule and the nature of the rest of its structure.