Citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) is a weak organic tricarboxylic acid commonly used as a buffering and chelating agent. It is highly soluble in water and exhibits excellent metal ion-binding properties, making it valuable in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and formulation processes. In laboratory and production settings, citric acid is employed for pH adjustment, cleaning and descaling, and as a stabilizer in buffer and reagent preparations. It is nonvolatile, biodegradable, and generally regarded as safe for use in controlled environments.