CAUBALEJO, ABIGAIL P.

BSCRIM

“Project in AdGE 102 Laboratory for the Final Term”

OXALIC ACID

STRUCTURAL FORMULA: SKELETAL FORMULA:

Molecular formula: C2H2O4

1. Physical Properties:
 Molecular formula: H2C2O4H2C2O4
 Molecular weight: 90.03gm/mole (anhydrous)
 Appearance: Orthorhombic colorless crystals
 Odor: Oxalic acid is an odorless white solid.
 Boiling point: 1570°C at 1.013hPa (anhydrous)
 Melting point: 1010°C (anhydrous)
 Sublimation point of an anhydrous form of oxalic acid: 190°C
 Sublimation point of its dihydrate state: 1500°C
 Density: 31.90gm/cm3 (anhydrous)
 Solubility: Soluble in water, pure alcohol, and ether
2. Chemical Properties:
 Oxalic acid is a strong acid.
 The number of hydronium ions produced by acid is its valence factor. Oxalic acid produced two
hydrogen ions. So, its valence factor is two.
 Because both COOH groups of oxalic acid are polar, they tend to form hydrogen bonds with
water molecules. Oxalic acid acts as hydrophilic due to its polar nature. It shows the solubility of
oxalic acid towards polar solvents.
 Oxalic acid behaves as a reducing agent.
3. Chemical Reactions:
 The said acid is a strong poison. The toxic symptoms include renal damage, shock, convulsions.
The toxicity arises as oxalic acid reacts with the calcium in the tissues to form calcium oxalate,
thereby upsetting the calcium potassium ratio. The deposition of oxalates in the kidneys tubules
may result in kidney damage.
4. Preparation:
 Oxalic acid is mainly manufactured by the oxidation of carbohydrates or glucose using nitric
acid or air in the presence of vanadium pentoxide. A variety of precursors can be used
including glycolic acid and ethylene glycol. A newer method entails
oxidative carbonylation of alcohols to give the diesters of oxalic acid:
4 ROH + 4 CO + O2 → 2 (CO2R)2 + 2 H2O

5. Uses:
 Oxalic Acid is a reliable & effective cleaner when used in appropriate applications. Oxalic Acid
may be used to remove rust and other difficult stains from areas such as buildings, boats,
swimming pools, concrete driveways, sidewalks, iron machinery, wood decks, stairs or trim.

CAUBALEJO, ABIGAIL P.
BSCRIM
 “Project in AdGE 102 Laboratory for the Final Term”

FORMALDEHYDE

STRUCTURAL FORMULA: SKELETAL FORMULA:

Molecular formula: C2H2O4

. Physical Properties:
 Formaldehyde, solutions (formalin) (corrosive) appear as a colorless liquid with a pungent
irritating odor. Contains 37-50% formaldehyde by mass and varying amounts of methanol, added
to prevent precipitation of formaldehyde polymers (formaldehyde exists in solution as CH2(OH)2
and its polymers HO(CH2O)xH where x averages about three). Formalin free of methanol is also
shipped but must be kept warm (about 30 °C (86 °F)) to prevent polymerization. Pure
formaldehyde, a gas, is not handled commercially because it tends to polymerize exothermally
and may ignite. Vapor from formalin solution is flammable and an explosion hazard when
exposed to flame or heat. Skin and eye irritant. Confirmed carcinogen.
2. Chemical Properties:
 Formaldehyde reacts with a base like sodium hydroxide and forms sodium formate and methanol.
The chemical equation is given below.
2HCHO + NaOH → HCOONa + CH3OH

 Formaldehyde reacts with ammonia to form formamidine and water.

3. Chemical Reactions:
 Formaldehyde reacts with many compounds, resulting in hydroxymethylation: 
X-H + CH2O → X-CH2OH. (X = R2N, RC(O)NR', SH). The resulting hydroxymethyl
derivatives typically react further.
4. Preparation:
 produced principally by the vapour-phase oxidation of methanol and is commonly sold as
formalin, a 37 percent aqueous solution. Formalin may be dehydrated to trioxane, a crystalline
trimer, or to an amorphous polymer, paraformaldehyde, which is a convenient source of gaseous
formaldehyde.
5. Uses:
 Used in agriculture and medicine where it is used as a disinfectant, fungicide, fumigant and
preservative.
 Formaldehyde is used in many industries. It's used in glues and resins, dyes, textiles,
disinfectants, building materials, automobile parts, embalming, and laboratories