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Boric acid: properties - uses - Whereabouts

 

Boric acid: properties - uses - Whereabouts  What is boric acid?

Boric acid

Boric acid is any chemical compound in the form of orthoboric acid, metaboric acid, or tetraboric acid, also called pyroboric acid. Boric acid to orthoboric acid, and these acids are believed to be aqueous compounds of boric oxide, and these compounds are weakly acidic, colorless, and may form triple crystals.[1]

 

Boric acid can be in the form of a white or colorless, odorless powder, or in the form of a crystalline substance with a slightly oily feel. These crystals are decomposed by heat to convert first to metaboric acid, which later turns into perboric acid, and finally produces boric oxide, It is reported that boric acid is naturally present in several areas, especially in the form of deposits in hot springs, and it may also exist in its mineral form, sassolite, and as a result of its availability in nature, humans used it many centuries ago, for example, the Greeks used it in sterilization, cleaning, and food preservation.[2]

 

It is believed that the German chemist Wilhelm Homberg was the first to prepare boric acid in 1702 AD, where he treated borax powder with boric acid to obtain a product he called analgesic salt, and this salt is probably a form of boric acid, The chemical composition of the compound was also identified in 1808 AD by French researchers (Louis Lussac) and (Louis Thénard).[2]

 

 

Properties of boric acid

There are many physical properties of boric acid, including: [3]

 

Chemical formula: BH3O3.

Molecular weight: 61.83 g/mol.

Melting point: 340 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 171 degrees Celsius.

Boiling point: 572 degrees Fahrenheit, or 300 degrees Celsius, at a pressure of 760 mm Hg.

Specific Density: 1.435 at 68°F (20°C).

Solubility in water: 10-50 mg/ml, at 66°F (18.8°C).

 

 

Whereabouts

Boric acid can be found in free form in many volcanic areas; such as Tuscany, Lipari Island in the Italian country, and Nevada in the United States of America, and the reason for the presence of acid in these areas is due to the mixing of hot steam in the cracks in the ground caused by volcanoes, and it can be found with many minerals and chemical compounds such as borax, ulexite, And boracite, and is also found in sea water, and with many types of plants, especially fruits. [4]

 

 

Boric acid uses

Medical: The acid is used as an antiseptic for burns and minor wounds, protecting these areas from germs, an alternative solution to bandages, ointments, and eye washes by mixing it with a diluted solution, and treating bacterial vaginosis, which results due to the presence of excess alkalis, a good treatment for acne, and a treatment for foot infections. athlete; And that by putting acid powder in socks, and a treatment for external otitis. [5]

 

Insects: It is considered a good insecticide, and its first use dates back to the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight, and the acid showed good results in exterminating cockroaches, fleas, fleas, and many other insects.

 

Nuclear energy: Boric acid is used in some nuclear power plants as a neutron poison (radiological or nuclear poisoning), and the acid contains boron, which reduces the possibilities of thermal fission; This is done by absorbing some thermal neutrons, which trigger a chain of fission reactions.

 

Industry: Acid is used in many industries; Such as the manufacture of glass fibers, plastics, industrial pipes, the jewelry industry, the production of high-quality flat LCD screens, and electroplating processes.

 

Lubrication: The nanoparticles present in the acid can be mixed with vegetable oil, and this mixture forms a lubricant. This substance is placed on the surfaces of ceramics and metals; to facilitate sliding. [5]

 

Fireworks: They are considered as colored in fireworks; Where it makes the resulting color during the process to green; This is due to the solubility of puric acid in methanol.

 

Agriculture: The acid contains a large proportion of boron, which plants need during their period of abundant growth. [5]

 

 

 

References

1.      "Boric Acid", www.encyclopedia.com, Retrieved 7-3-2018. Edited. "

2.     Boric Acid", www.encyclopedia.com, Retrieved 7-3-2018. Edited.

3.     BORIC ACID", www.cameochemicals.noaa.gov, Retrieved 8-3-2018. Edited.

4.     "Boric Acid", www.pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Retrieved 8-3-2018. Edited.

5.     "Boric Acid", www.npic.orst.edu, Retrieved 8-3-2018. Edited.

 

 


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