Is boric acid a protic acid? Explain.

Explanation

Boric acid is not a protic acid because it does not ionise in water to give a proton: `H_3BO_3+H_2Ocancel(to)H_3BO_3^(-) + H_3O^(+)` However, due to presence of only 6 electrons in the valence shell of boron, `B(OH)_3` accepts a lone pair of electrons from O-atom of `H_2O` to form a hydrated species. The positively charged O -atom pulls the 0-H bonding electrons towards itself thereby facilitating the release of proton. Therefore, `B(OH)_3` acts as a weak monobasic acid.