Oxalic acid is an organic and simplest di-carboxylic acid. It has the chemical formula C₂H₂O₄, and it is a weak acid in the solution. Oxalic acid is one of the strong acids and expels many acids like carbonic acid from their salts. It has two forms, oxalic acid hydrated and oxalic acid anhydrous, that further exist in two different polymorphs.

Oxalic acid can be manufacture in many ways. The annual production of oxalic acid is approx. 120,000 tons. But it is mainly manufactured by oxidation of carbohydrates or glucose while using nitric acid or air in the presence of vanadium penta-oxide. In history, oxalic acid used to prepare caustic like sodium or potassium hydroxide on sawdust. Pyrolysis of sodium for-mate uses pyrolysis to prepare sodium oxalate that changes into oxalic acid.

Oxalic acid has a vital role in the textile and paper industry. It plays an essential role in dyeing, and the crystalline form mixed with water is used as a bleach for wood pulp. Its uses also include cleaning, especially rust removal. As; it has the property to form stable water-soluble salt with ferric iron. Oxalic acid plays an essential role in lanthanide chemistry. To extract lanthanide metals and as a reducing agent and analytical reagent, oxalic acid has wide application. Laundries use oxalic acid as an acid rinse. Most beekeepers as a miticide to use against the parasitic varroa mites. It is also an essential ingredient for oral care products.

Oxalic acid is a toxic and harmful compound. On inhalation, it can severely damage the esophagus and respiratory tract. Because of its acidic nature, oxalic acid causes severe tissue damage and burns when contacted with skin or eyes.

On ingestion, its results can be fatal and lead to kidney failure.

CAS NO :- 144-62-7

USES AND APPLICATIONS FOR OXALIC ACID

INDUSTRIES

It is used in numerous industrial applications like: –

• Cleaning
• Extractive metallurgy
• Niche uses
• Oral care products
• Bleaching
• Dyeing
• Reducing agent
• Analytical reagent
• Scales removing

… and many more.