Process for the selective removal of metallic ion and/or ion ammonium impurities from water soluble acid compound comprising the steps of preparing an aqueous solution of the acid compound containing the impurities; contacting the aqueous solution with a cation exchange resin and removing selectively the metal-ion and/or ammonium ion impurities from the solution at condition being effective in the exchange of cations; and withdrawing an aqueous solution of the acid compound being substantially free of the impurities.