Oxalic Acid

Table of Contents

Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid, also known as ethanedioic acid, is a colorless chemical molecule that belongs to the carboxylic acid family. 
Oxalic acid is used in non-metal-surface treatment products, metal surface treatment products, washing & cleaning products, coating products, metal working fluids, polishes and waxes, laboratory chemicals and pH regulators and water treatment products.

 

 

Oxalic acid is an organic acid with the systematic name ethanedioic acid and formula HO2C−CO2H; its usual form is that of the crystalline hydrate, (COOH)2·2H2O.  

Typically, oxalic acid occurs as the dihydrate with the formula C2H2O4·2H2O.

Oxalic acid is the simplest dicarboxylic acid. Oxalic acid is a white crystalline solid that forms a colorless solution in water. 

Oxalic acid is widely used as an acid rinse in laundries, where it is effective in removing rust and ink stains because it converts most insoluble iron compounds into a soluble complex ion. 

Oxalic Acid is the chief constituent of many commercial preparations used for removing scale from automobile radiators.

Substance identity

EC / List no.: 205-634-3

CAS no.: 144-62-7

Mol. formula: C2H2O4

Applications of Oxalic Acid:

Pharmaceutical

Textile

Rare Earth Metals

Chemical

Metal Processing

Other Applications

Oxalic acid is majorly applied as an acid wash in household and commercial facilities where Oxalic acid is beneficial in removing corrosion and dirty stains because it converts the bulk of indissoluble iron complexes into a dissoluble complex ion. 

Because of similar reason, it is the primary component of several commercial treatments intended to remove scale from vehicle radiators. 

A naturally occurring substance called oxalic acid is present in a wide variety of plants and vegetables, including spinach, rhubarb, and cocoa. 

The market is anticipated to expand at a substantial rate as a result of rising demand from various user industries and expanding knowledge about environmentally friendly cleaning products.

In the medical industry, oxalic acid is widely used to create medicines including tetracycline, borneol, Terramycin, and other antibiotics. 

In the pharmaceutical sector, acid is used to purify or diluted certain substances. On the other hand, there is little proof that this acid has any positive effects on health. 

When oxalic acid is organic and unprocessed, it is not lethal. 

As a result, the extension of the pharmaceutical sector has substantially supported the growth of the global oxalic acid market. 

Additionally, Oxalic acid is mostly employed in industrial processes for processing minerals. 

People who work in the Fabric business can also use oxalic acid to disinfect instruments and bleach garments.

In the discipline of chemistry, there have been major advancements in the use of oxalic acid in recent years. 

Production of graphene, a substance with tremendous promise for a variety of uses, including electronics, energy storage, and environmental remediation, is one of the most exciting recent advances. 

In the synthesis of graphene, oxalic acid has been successfully employed as a reducing agent, enabling the synthesis of high-quality, large-scale graphene sheets with good electrical and mechanical characteristics. 

Oxalic acid-produced graphene also exhibits better stability and greater toughness. 

Exciting advancements in catalysis are another area where oxalic acid is being used. 

Oxalic acid is a crucial ingredient in the manufacture of numerous compounds because it may function as a catalyst in a variety of chemical processes.

Oxalic acid’s name comes from the fact that early investigators isolated oxalic acid from flowering plants of the genus Oxalis, commonly known as wood-sorrels. 

Oxalic acid occurs naturally in many foods. Excessive ingestion of oxalic acid or prolonged skin contact can be dangerous.

Oxalic acid has much greater acid strength than acetic acid. 

Oxalic acid is a reducing agent and its conjugate base, known as oxalate (C2O2−4), is a chelating agent for metal cations. 

Preferred IUPAC name: Oxalic acid

Systematic IUPAC name: Ethanedioic acid

Other names: Wood bleach, Crab Acid, (Carboxyl)carboxylic acid, Carboxylformic acid, Dicarboxylic acid, Diformic acid

Identifiers

CAS Number

144-62-7 (anhydrous) 

6153-56-6 (dihydrate) 

Properties

Chemical formula: C2H2O4

Molar mass: 

90.034 g·mol−1 (anhydrous)

126.065 g·mol−1 (dihydrate)

Appearance: White crystals

Odor: Odorless

Density: 1.90 g·cm3 (anhydrous, at 17 °C)

1.653 g·cm−3 (dihydrate)

Melting point 189 to 191 °C (372 to 376 °F; 462 to 464 K)

101.5 °C (214.7 °F; 374.6 K) dihydrate

Solubility in water: 46.9 g/L (5 °C), 57.2 (10 °C), 75.5 (15 °C), 95.5 (20 °C), 118 (25 °C), 139 (30 °C)

Solubility: 

237 g/L (15 °C) in ethanol

14 g/L (15 °C) in diethyl ether

Vapor pressure <0.001 mmHg (20 °C)

Acidity (pKa): 1.25, 4.14

Conjugate base Hydrogenoxalate

Magnetic susceptibility (χ): −60.05·10−6 cm3/mol

Thermochemistry

Heat capacity (C): 91.0 J·mol−1·K−1

Std molar entropy (S⦵298): 109.8 J·mol−1·K−1

Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298): −829.9 kJ·mol−1

Applications of Oxalic Acid:

Oxalic acid’s main applications include cleaning or bleaching, especially for the removal of rust (iron complexing agent). 

Oxalic acid’s utility in rust removal agents is due to its forming a stable, water-soluble salt with ferric iron, ferrioxalate ion. 

Oxalic acid is an ingredient in some tooth whitening products. 

About 25% of produced oxalic acid will be used as a mordant in dyeing processes. 

Oxalic acid is also used in bleaches, especially for pulpwood, and for rust removal and other cleaning, in baking powder, and as a third reagent in silica analysis instruments.

Oxalic acid is extensively used as a cleaning agent and metal polishing agent in various industries such as automotive, construction, and aerospace. 

Oxalic acid is used as a bleaching agent and mordant in the textile industry. 

Additionally, it acts as a natural cleaning agent, and its demand is expected to grow as consumers become increasingly aware of the benefits of using sustainable cleaning agents.

Moreover, Oxalic acid has a wide application in the pharmaceutical industry is it used as a raw material in the production of various pharmaceutical products, including antibiotics, antiseptics, and bleaching agents. 

For instance, oxalic acid is used in the production of ciprofloxacin, which is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections. 

Oxalic acid is also used in the production of antiseptics like potassium permanganate solution, which is used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and fungal infections.

The oxalic acid market is broadly segmented into grade and application. 

The grade segment is further categorized into standard, technical or pharma. 

The application segment is further subdivided into reducing agents and bleaching & purifying agents.

Niche uses of Oxalic Acid:

Honeybee coated with oxalate crystals

Oxalic acid is used by some beekeepers as a miticide against the parasitic varroa mite.

Dilute solutions (0.05–0.15 M) of oxalic acid can be used to remove iron from clays such as kaolinite to produce light-colored ceramics.

Oxalic acid can be used to clean minerals like many other acids. Two such examples are quartz crystals and pyrite.

Oxalic acid is sometimes used in the aluminum anodizing process, with or without sulfuric acid.[56] Compared to sulfuric acid anodizing, the coatings obtained are thinner and exhibit lower surface roughness.

Oxalic acid is also widely used as a wood bleach, most often in its crystalline form to be mixed with water to its proper dilution for use.

Semiconductor industry

Oxalic acid is also used in electronic and semiconductor industries. In 2006 it was reported being used in electrochemical–mechanical planarization of copper layers in the semiconductor devices fabrication process.

oxalic acid

ethanedioic acid

144-62-7

Aktisal

Aquisal

oxalate

Oxiric acid

Oxaalzuur

Oxalsaeure

Kyselina stavelova

Acidum oxalicum

Acide oxalique

Acido ossalico

Caswell No. 625

Ethanedionic acid

NCI-C55209

Ethane-1,2-dioic acid

Oxaalzuur [Dutch]

Oxalsaeure [German]

Oxalicacid

Acide oxalique [French]

CCRIS 1454

Acido ossalico [Italian]

EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 009601

HSDB 1100

Kyselina stavelova [Czech]

HOOCCOOH

AI3-26463

NSC 62774

Ethandisaeure

C2H2O4

BRN 0385686

EINECS 205-634-3

H2ox

UNII-9E7R5L6H31

Oxalic acid anhydrous

DTXSID0025816

CHEBI:16995

Oxalic acid (aqueous)

9E7R5L6H31

MFCD00002573

NSC-62774

DTXCID805816

EC 205-634-3

4-02-00-01819 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)

Oxalic Acid Dianion

C00209

Oxalic acid alpha polymorph

Oxalic acid diammonium salt

C2H2O4.Mg

Wood bleach

C2-H2-O4.Mg

Acid, Oxalic

CAS-144-62-7

OXD

OXALIPLATIN IMPURITY A (EP IMPURITY)

OXALIPLATIN IMPURITY A [EP IMPURITY]

NSC115893

[Ethanedioato(2-)-?O1,?O2]-magnesium

Ethanedioic acid, uranium(4) salt (2:1)

Ethanedionate

Oksalsyre

Oxagel

2dua

2hwg

Anhydrous oxalic acid

Ethane-1,2-dioate

Oxalic acid, 98%

Oxalic acid (8CI)

oxalic acid 2 hydrate

Oxalic acid, anhydrous

Oxalic acid 2-Hydrate

1o4n

1t5a

OXA (CHRIS Code)

Oxalate standard for IC

WLN: QVVQ

Ethanedioic acid (9CI)

OXALIC ACID [MI]

Oxalic acid dihydrate ACS

Ultraplast Activate S 52

bmse000106

D0U7BY

Oxalic Acid Low Ash Grade

OXALIC ACID [HSDB]

OXALIC ACID [INCI]

NCIOpen2_000770

NCIOpen2_001022

NCIOpen2_001042

NCIOpen2_001202

NCIOpen2_008831

OXALIC ACID [VANDF]

TETRADECANOIC-D27ACID

OXALIC ACID [WHO-DD]

Oxalic acid, AR, >=99%

Oxalic acid, LR, >=98%

CHEMBL146755

Oxalic acid, analytical standard

BDBM14674

bis(5-azaspiro[2.5]octan-8-ol)

C2-H2-O4

HY-Y0262

NSC62774

STR01359

EINECS 271-678-5

Tox21_202122

Tox21_303346

BBL003000

bis((2R)-azetidine-2-carbonitrile)

LS-851

NCI-55209

s9354

STK379550

AKOS005449445

CCG-266020

DB03902

SB40938

SB40959

SB40985

Oxalic acid, ReagentPlus(R), >=99%

NCGC00249170-01

NCGC00257376-01

NCGC00259671-01

BP-21133

Oxalic acid 10 microg/mL in Acetonitrile

Oxalic acid, anhydrous; (Ethanedioic acid)

Oxalic acid, SAJ first grade, >=97.0%

bis(1-(3-methyloxetan-3-yl)ethan-1-amine)

CS-0013716

FT-0657506

Oxalic acid, Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 98%

EN300-16428

EC 271-678-5

Oxalic acid, purum, anhydrous, >=97.0% (RT)

Q184832

J-007978

F1B1B2D7-C290-4CE6-8550-F25B202AFADE

F2191-0257

Oxalic acid, puriss. p.a., anhydrous, >=99.0% (RT)

Oxalic acid, purified grade, 99.999% trace metals basis

InChI=1/C2H2O4/c3-1(4)2(5)6/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6

Oxalate standard for IC, 1.000 g/L in H2O, analytical standard

48J

Substance names and other identifiers

Regulatory process names

Acide oxalique

Acido ossalico

Acidum oxalicum

Aktisal

Aquisal

Ethanedioic acid

Kyselina stavelova

Oxaalzuur

Oxalate

Oxalic acid

Oxalsaeure

Oxiric acid

Translated names

acid oxalic (ro)

acide oxalique (fr)

acido ossalico (it)

kwas szczawiowy (pl)

kyselina šťaveľová (sk)

Oksaalhape (et)

Oksaalihappo (fi)

oksalna kiselina (hr)

oksalna kislina (sl)

oksalo rūgštis (lt)

oksalsyre (no)

oxaalzuur (nl)

oxalsyra (sv)

oxalsyre (da)

Oxalsäure (de)

oxálsav (hu)

skābeņskābe (lv)

ácido oxálico (es)

ácido oxálico (pt)

šťavelová kyselina (cs)

οξαλικό οξύ (el)

оксалова киселина (bg)

IUPAC names

acide oxalique

ethandioic acid

Ethanedioic acid

ethanedioic acid

Ethanedioic acid , Oxalate

ETHANEDIOIC ACID, DIHYDRATE

Ethanedioic acid, dihydrate

ethanedionic acid

Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid

oxalic acid

Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid

oxalic acid

Oxalic acid dihydrate

Trade names

Aktisal

Aquisal

Ethanedioic acid (9CI)

Nano grip

Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid

oxalic acid

Oxalic acid (8CI)

Oxalic acid cry

Other identifiers

144-62-7 [RN]

218-181-1 [EINECS]

231-791-2 [EINECS]

385686 [Beilstein]

Acide oxalique [French] [ACD/IUPAC Name]

Acido ossalico [Italian]

ethane-1,2-dioic acid

Kyselina stavelova [Czech]

MFCD00002573 [MDL number]

Oxaalzuur [Dutch]

Oxalic acid [ACD/IUPAC Name] [Wiki]

Oxalic acid concentrate

Oxalsaeure [German]

Oxalsäure [German] [ACD/IUPAC Name]

19646-07-2 [RN]

2-Oxo-2-oxonioacetate

68603-87-2 [RN]

Aktisal

Anhydrous oxalic acid

Aquisal

Ethandisaeure

Ethane-1,2-dioate

ethanedioic acid [ACD/Index Name]

Ethanedionic acid

HOOCCOOH

Hydroxydiketone

Oxagel

Oxalic acid-d2

Oxalic acidmissing

OXD

Oxiric acid

OXL

STR01359

Ultraplast Activate S 52

WLN: QVVQ

Explore: