Properties of Oxalic Acid

Basic properties of the Oxalic acid is added in the table below,

Chemical Formula

C2H2O4

Molecular Weight

90.03 g/mol

Density

1.90 cm3

Appearence

White Crystals

Melting Point

190 °C (approx)

Solution

Colorless Solution

All the properties of Oxalic Acid are divided into two parts,

  • Physical Properties of Oxalic Acid
  • Chemical Properties of Oxalic Acid

Now let’s learn about them in detail.

Physical Properties of Oxalic Acid

The physical properties of oxalic acid are,

  • The molar mass of oxalic acid is 90 g/mol and for the hydrated oxalic acid molar mass is 126 g/mol. 
  • Its Density is 1.90 g/cm3
  • Its Melting points vary from 1890°C to 1910°C.
  • It appears as a white crystal and smells odorless.
  • It forms a colourless solution in water.
  • Its heat capacity is 91.0 J·mol-1·K-1

Chemical Properties of Oxalic Acid

The chemical properties of oxalic acid are,

  • For oxalic acid, the valence coefficient is 2. 
  • It readily reacts with typical carboxylic acids to form acid chlorides and ester derivatives. 
  • Oxalic acid is highly toxic and therefore harmful. Inhalation can cause serious damage to mucous membranes and the respiratory tract. Also, symptoms such as cough, and wheezing are one of the symptoms of this. It is also toxic if swallowed and can cause kidney failure.
  • When oxalic acid reacts with Potassium Manganate(VII), get dissociates as:

2MnO4 + 5C2H2O4 + 6H3O+   →   2Mn2+ + 10CO2 + 14H2O

  • The reaction of oxalic acid with concentrated sulphuric acid is given by,

 C2H2O4 + H2SO4 (conc.)  →  CO + CO2 + H2O

Can We Eat Oxalic Acid?

Oxalic acid is a naturally occurring compound in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. While small amounts of oxalic acid are not harmful.

Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid is a dicarboxylic acid having chemical formula C2H2O4. It is called as Ethanedioic acid. Oxalic acid is found in many vegetables and plants. It is the simplest dicarboxylic acid having HOOC-COOH and has an acidic strength greater than acetic acid.

In this article, we will learn about, the Oxalic Acid Formula, Equivalent Weight of Oxalic Acid, Structure of Oxalic Acid, Properties of Oxalic Acid, Preparation of Oxalic Acid, and others, in detail.

Table of Content

  • What is Oxalic Acid?
  • Oxalic Acid Formula
  • Oxalic Acid Structure(C2H2O4)
  • Preparation of Oxalic Acid(C2H2O4)
  • Properties of Oxalic Acid
  • Oxalic Acid Uses

Similar Reads

What is Oxalic Acid?

Oxalic acid is a dicarboxylic acid. This means in Oxalic Acid two carboxylic acids are connected to each other with a single covalent bond. It is a crystalline white power and its solution is colorless in nature. Its structure is HCOOH-HCOOH, and its condensed form is, C2H2O4. The image added below shows the crystalline form and colorless solution of the oxalic acid....

Oxalic Acid Formula

Oxalic acid is a strong dicarboxylic acid in nature which is much more acidic in than acetic acid. Oxalic Acid contains Carbon(C), Hydrogen(H), and Oxygen(O) in the ratio of 1:1:2. It is the simplest dicarboxylic acid containing only two carboxylic acids directly bonded to each other at carbon atoms, i.e. (COOH) groups. The chemical formula of Oxalic Acid is HOOC-COOH, and it is also represented as (COOH)2 or C2H2O4....

Molar Mass of Oxalic Acid

Molar Mass is the total mass of the molecule present in a one-mole substance and is equivalent to the atomic weight of the substance. Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen have molar masses of 12 gm/mole, 1 gm/mole, and 16 gm/mole respectively, and one molecule of oxalic acid contains two atoms of Carbon, two atoms of Hydrogen, and four atoms of Oxygen. Thus the molar mass of oxalic acid is 2×12 + 2×1 + 4×16 i.e.,  90 grams per mole....

Equivalent Weight of Oxalic Acid

Equivalent weight of hydrated Oxalic acid (C2H2O4 .2H2O) is 126 amu (90 + 2×18) and the valency (number of hydrogen ions released by it when dissociated) is 2. It is also called the basicity of Oxalic Acid. Thus, the basicity of Oxalic Acid is 2....

Oxalic Acid Structure(C2H2O4)

Oxalic acid is a dicarboxylic acid and its structure consist of two -COOH group attached together as shown in the diagram added below,...

Preparation of Oxalic Acid(C2H2O4)

Although oxalic acid is readily available in nature and can be extracted from different means, but also oxalic acid can be made in the laboratory by oxidizing sucrose with nitric acid in the presence of a small amount of vanadium pentoxide as a catalyst. The hydrated solid can be dehydrated by heat or azeotropic distillation....

Properties of Oxalic Acid

Basic properties of the Oxalic acid is added in the table below,...

Chemical Reactions

Various chemical reactions of oxalic acid include,...

Oxalic Acid Uses

Various uses of the Oxalic Acid are added below:...

Oxalic Acid Health Hazards

Oxalic Acid has very serious health implications for the human body. Some of the health implications of Oxalic acid are,...

Oxalic Acid FAQs

What is Oxalic Acid?...