Boric acid is an acid because its molecule :

(a) combines with proton to form water molecule.
(b) contains replaceable $H^+$ ion.
(c) accepts $OH^-$ from water, releasing proton.
(d) gives up a proton.

Question

Boric acid is an acid because its molecule :

(a) combines with proton to form water molecule.
(b) contains replaceable $H^+$ ion.
(c) accepts $OH^-$ from water, releasing proton.
(d) gives up a proton.

Accepted Answer

> [!TLDR]
> Boric acid, $B(OH)_3$, does not itself ionise to release an $H^+$; it acts as a Lewis acid because the electron-deficient boron accepts a hydroxide ion donated by a water molecule, and it is that water molecule which then releases the proton — making boric acid monobasic and weak.
>
> Boron in $B(OH)_3$ has only 6 electrons around it (an incomplete octet), making it electron-deficient and a good Lewis acid (electron-pair acceptor). It does not contain any ionisable $O-H$ proton that behaves as a classical Bronsted acid on its own. Instead, it reacts with water as follows: $$B(OH)_3 + 2H_2O \rightleftharpoons [B(OH)_4]^- + H_3O^+$$ Here, the boron atom accepts a hydroxide ion, $OH^-$, from a water molecule (completing its octet, forming the tetrahedral borate anion $[B(OH)_4]^-$), and that water molecule, having donated its $OH^-$, is left a …

Q.Boric acid is an acid because its molecule :

Concept understanding — Boric Acid — Preparation, Properties and Structure

Q.Boric acid is an acid because its molecule :

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