Citric acid is considered very polar due to its molecular structure and the presence of multiple polar functional groups.
Citric acid (C6H8O7) contains three carboxyl groups (-COOH) and one hydroxyl group (-OH). These groups are highly polar because they contain oxygen atoms, which are more electronegative than carbon and hydrogen. The electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen or carbon creates a dipole moment, making these groups polar.
Additionally, the presence of multiple polar groups in citric acid allows it to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, which further enhances its polarity. This is why citric acid is highly soluble in water, a characteristic of very polar substances.
In summary, citric acid is very polar due to its multiple polar functional groups and its ability to form hydrogen bonds with water.