Preparation of Orthoboric Acid
Wilhelm Homberg was the first one to extract and synthesize Orthoboric Acid. Utilizing borax and mineral acids, he synthesized the compound. Interestingly, historical records reveal that ancient Greeks employed borates and boric acid, primarily for food preservation and cleaning purposes.
There are two methods for preparing orthoboric acid:
Using Borax: A hot concentrated solution of borax is treated with sulphuric acid or hydrochloric acid. Crystals of boric acid are formed as a result of the reaction:
Na2B4O7.10H2O + 2HCL → 4B(0H)3 + 2NaCl + 5H2O
Hydrolysis of Boron Compounds: Hydrolysis is the process of reacting hydrides, halides and nitrides with water:
B2H6 + 6H20 → 2B(OH)3 + 6H2
BX3 + 3H2O → B(OH)3 + 3HX (X = Cl, Br, I)
Orthoboric Acid
Orthoboric Acid, also known as boric acid, is a mild Lewis acid of Boron. Orthoboric Acid is found in volcanic areas and various minerals. It appears as a white crystalline solid and has a trigonal planar structure. Orthoboric Acid serves diverse purposes, from being a pesticide and food preservative to having applications in medicine and the manufacturing industry.
This article provides an overview of its properties, molecular structure, preparation methods, reactions and performance as compared to borax. It also delves into the uses of orthoboric acid, emphasizing its role as a generally safe pesticide while highlighting precautions due to its potential toxicity.
Table of Content
- What is Orthoboric Acid?
- Properties of Orthoboric Acid
- Structure of Orthoboric Acid
- Orthoboric Acid Reactions
- Orthoboric Acid vs Borax
- Uses of Orthoboric Acid