Differences Between Citric Acid Monohydrate and Citric Acid Anhydrous

Differences Between Citric Acid Monohydrate and Anhydrous Citric Acid:

1. Hydration State:
   - Citric Acid Monohydrate: Contains one molecule of water (H₂O) per citric acid molecule.
   - Anhydrous Citric Acid: Does not contain any water molecules.

2. Physical Properties:
   - Citric Acid Monohydrate: Typically appears as colorless crystals or white crystalline powder, and is stable at room temperature.
   - Anhydrous Citric Acid: Usually appears as white crystals or powder, and is more hygroscopic than citric acid monohydrate.

3. Molecular Weight:
   - The molecular weight of citric acid monohydrate is 210.14 g/mol.
   - The molecular weight of anhydrous citric acid is 192.12 g/mol.

4. Solubility:
   - Citric acid monohydrate has slightly higher solubility in water compared to anhydrous citric acid.
   - Both are easily soluble in water, but citric acid monohydrate releases more heat when dissolving.

5. Uses:
   - Both citric acid monohydrate and anhydrous citric acid are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries, with specific applications depending on production processes and final product requirements.

6. Storage:
   - Citric acid monohydrate usually requires storage in a dry and ventilated environment to prevent moisture absorption.
   - Anhydrous citric acid has simpler storage requirements but also needs to be kept dry.

These differences lead to different choices in practical applications, depending on specific needs and conditions.