Description
Oxalic acid, also known as ethanedioic acid, is the simplest dicarboxylic acid with the formula C₂H₂O₄. It naturally occurs in many plants like spinach, rhubarb, and beet greens. In its pure form, it appears as a white crystalline solid and is highly soluble in water.
⚙️ Properties
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | C₂H₂O₄ (or HOOC–COOH) |
| Molar Mass | 90.03 g/mol (anhydrous), 126.07 g/mol (dihydrate) |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Solubility | Highly soluble in water and alcohol |
| Acidity | Stronger than acetic acid; diprotic acid |
| Melting Point | 189.5 °C (anhydrous) |
| Density | 1.90 g/cm³ (anhydrous) |
| Odor | Odorless |
🧼 Uses & Applications
- Cleaning Agent: Removes rust, ink stains, and mineral deposits from surfaces like tiles, metals, and fabrics.
- Bleaching: Used in wood and textile bleaching due to its strong reducing properties.
- Metal Treatment: Polishes and brightens metals, especially in automotive and jewelry industries.
- Textile Industry: Acts as a mordant to fix dyes on fabrics.
- Pharmaceuticals: Used in the synthesis of certain drugs and intermediates.
- Photography: Functions as a reducing agent in developing photographic films.
- Beekeeping: Used as a miticide to control varroa mites in honeybee colonies.
- Analytical Chemistry: Helps in standardizing solutions and removing calcium in water treatment.
✅ Advantages
- Effective Chelating Agent: Binds with metal ions, making it excellent for rust and scale removal.
- Biodegradable: Breaks down naturally, reducing environmental impact when used properly.
- Versatile: Applicable across industries—from household cleaning to metallurgy and medicine.
- Cost-Effective: Inexpensive and widely available for industrial and domestic use.
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