What is the Chemical Formula of Oxalic Acid ?
Oxalic acid is also known as Ethanedioic acid or Oxiric acid is an organic compound. Organic Compounds are such classes of compounds that have one or more carbon-hydrogen ( C - H) bond(s). Due to the catenation property of Carbon, there are numerous organic compounds. Oxalic acid is a strong dicarboxylic acid and is toxic. The chemical formula of Oxalic Acid is (COOH)2. The chemical and molecular formula of oxalic acid is explained in this article in great detail for the better understanding of the students.
Structural and Molecular Formula of Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid is one of the simplest dicarboxylic acids consisting of two carbon atoms, two hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms. The molecular formula of oxalic acid is written as C2H2O4. Oxalic acid has a condensed formula of HOOC - COOH. The strength of oxalic acid is quite greater than that of acetic acid. Excess consumption of oxalic acid can be fatal and dangerous. It is produced by the process of oxidation of carbohydrates. Oxalic acid can also be prepared in the laboratory by the process of oxidation of sucrose in the presence of nitric acid and a catalyst like vanadium pentoxide.
During oxidation, the carbon atoms split up in pairs giving oxalic acid as the product. Oxalic acid has a structure that consists of two polymorphs. Oxalic acid appears as a white crystalline solid substance which becomes a colorless solution when dissolved in water. Oxalic acid is an ideal reducing agent and is often used as a chelating agent with oxalate as its conjugate base. It is also called a diprotic acid.
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Conclusion
This article contains a detailed explanation of the oxalic acid formula ( chemical, molecular and structural ). Along with this, the various uses and health hazards of oxalic acid have also been discussed a bit.
FAQs on Oxalic Acid Formula
1. What is the Hydrated Oxalic Acid Formula and What are its Uses?
Ans:- The oxalic acid dihydrate formula of hydrated oxalic acid formula is written as C2H2O4. 2 H2O or (COOH)2. 2 H2O or C2H2O6. It has a molecular weight of 126.07 g/mol. It appears in a white crystalline form.
Oxalic acid dihydrate is greatly used as an acid rinse in laundries.It is also used in bleaching and dyeing industries It is the main constituent of many commercial preparations used for removing scale from automobile radiators.It is extremely effective in removing food and ink stains and, rust. It is used commercially as a laundry rinse, wood-bleaching agent, and calcium remover.
2. What is the Valency and Polarity of Oxalic Acid?
Ans:- The valence factor is the number of H+ or OH- ions produced by the acid and base. Oxalic acid releases 2 H+ ions, hence the valency is 2. While the number of electrons exchanged by a molecule is called that compound’s valence factor for that reaction. Oxalic acid is a colorless hygroscopic crystalline solid, with a snow-like aspect.
Oxalic acid (HOOC-COOH) is composed of two carboxylic groups. These carboxylic groups are polar and can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules . Oxalic acid is therefore an ideal water-solute. It is polar. As a result it is soluble in all polar solvents.
3. What are the Health Hazards Posed By Oxalic Acid?
Ans:- Oxalic acid is considered to be a strong poison. Oxalic acid causes irritation of the eyes, mucous membranes, and skin. Inhalation or ingestion may often result in kidney damage. Some toxic symptoms include renal damage, shock, and convulsions. The toxicity rises as oxalic acid reacts with the calcium present in the tissues to form calcium oxalate This upsets the calcium potassium ratio of the body which is quite dangerous. The deposition of oxalates in the kidneys' tubules may often result in kidney damage. It is very harmful for the body because if the calcium and potassium ratio changes readily then it may even cause death of a person.
