OXALIC ACIDS Meaning and
Definition
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Oxalic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C2H2O4. It is a highly acidic, colorless crystalline compound that occurs naturally in various plants and vegetables, such as rhubarb, spinach, and sorrel. Oxalic acid can also be synthesized industrially by the oxidation of carbohydrates or ethylene glycol.
In terms of its chemical properties, oxalic acid is easily soluble in water and forms a solution that is highly acidic in nature. It is also a reducing agent and can react with various metallic ions to form precipitates or complexes. Due to its strong reducibility, oxalic acid can be harmful if ingested or comes into contact with the skin, eyes, or respiratory system.
Oxalic acid has several applications in different industries. For instance, it is commonly used as a cleaning agent or a rust remover. It is also utilized in metallurgy for the purification of metals and in the textile industry for dyeing and bleaching processes. Furthermore, oxalic acid finds usage as a chelating agent in analytical chemistry, aiding in the determination and separation of metal ions in complex samples.
Overall, oxalic acid is a versatile chemical compound that has both natural and synthetic sources. Its acidic nature, coupled with its reducing properties, makes it useful in various applications across different industries. However, precautions should be taken when handling and using this compound due to its hazardous nature.
Common Misspellings for OXALIC ACIDS
- ixalic acids
- kxalic acids
- lxalic acids
- pxalic acids
- 0xalic acids
- 9xalic acids
- ozalic acids
- ocalic acids
- odalic acids
- osalic acids
- oxzlic acids
- oxslic acids
- oxwlic acids
- oxqlic acids
- oxakic acids
- oxapic acids
- oxaoic acids
- oxaluc acids
- oxaljc acids
- oxalkc acids
Etymology of OXALIC ACIDS
The word "oxalic" is derived from the Latin term "oxalis", meaning "sour grass" or "sorrel". This term was further derived from the Greek word "oxys", meaning "acid", due to the acidic taste of sorrel leaves. The word "acid" in "oxalic acid" refers to its chemical composition and acidic nature, whereas "oxalic" specifically indicates its relation to the sour taste of oxalis or sorrel.
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