[darchax]

Is it possible to measure the decomposition of an acid placed at various temperatures by titrating with a base? Or will the same amount of H+ ions still be in the solution?

[Borek]

What are decomposition products?

[english]

What are decomposition products?

I think he means acidic protons dissociated?

[Borek]

Question is ambiguous, darchax should clarify things. IMHO guessing is a waste of time 

[darchax]

Sorry, no i meant a decomposition of a carboxylic acid, and this is the part where i'm unsure of. By heating the acid at various temperatures up to 80 degree celcius, there shouldn't be full decomposition of H20 and CO2 right? (correct me if i'm wrong) I'm talking about citric acid if you must know. So is it possible to measure the amount of citric left by just using an acid base titration? Or will the other products of the decomposition affect?

[darchax]

Hmm can anyone help?

[AWK]

As far as I remember, a citric acid is stable up to its melting point (~ 150 C)

[darchax]

As far as I remember, a citric acid is stable up to its melting point (~ 150 C)

I beg to differ. (I have my reasons and proof) It is relatively stable, but surely heating over a couple of hours / days decomposes it. But back to the question, what would it form theoretically if it decomposed partially, and will a acid base titration work?

[AWK]

Citric acid at 175 C produces aconitic acid + H2O
aconitic acid during dry distiilation forms citraconic and itaconic anhydrides.

http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/orgsyn/prepContent.asp?prep=cv2p0368

[darchax]

Thanks! That was much appreciated.