Vitamin C (HC₆H₇O₆) is a water-soluble vitamin that helps boost the immune system. Based on the molecular formula HC₆H₇O₆, would you expect the compound to be acidic, basic, or neutral? What does the term "non-acidic" in non-acidic vitamin C mean?

• A. Acidic. The molecular formula HC₆H₇O₆ has been conveniently written to indicate that there are eight ionizable hydrogens which makes the compound acidic. The term non-acidic implies that the most readily ionizable proton from vitamin C has been replaced with a metal ion to form an organic salt.
• B. Acidic. The molecular formula HC₆H₇O₆ has been conveniently written with one H upfront to indicate that there is a readily ionizable hydrogen. The term non-acidic implies that the most readily ionizable proton from vitamin C has been replaced by a sodium ion to form an organic sodium salt that is no longer acidic.
• C. It is not possible to tell if the compound is acidic, basic, or neutral by just looking at the formula HC₆H₇O₆. The term non-acidic means that vitamin C has been made neutral by reacting it with potassium hydroxide.
• D. It is not possible to tell if the compound is acidic, basic, or neutral by just looking at the formula HC₆H₇O₆. The term non-acidic implies that vitamin C has been made alkaline for those who need this vitamin in its basic form.

Answer: (B)