Properties
|
General
|
| Name |
Boric acid |
| Chemical formula |
H3BO3 |
| Appearance |
White solid |
|
Physical
|
| Formula weight |
61.8 amu |
| Melting point |
Decomposes at 442 K (169 °C) |
| Density |
1.4 ×103 kg/m3 |
| hexagonal structure |
? |
| Solubility |
5.7 g in 100g water |
|
Thermochemistry
|
| ΔfH0gas |
-992.28 kJ/mol |
| ΔfH0solid |
-1093.99 kJ/mol |
| S0gas, 1 bar |
295.23 J/mol·K |
| S0solid |
88.7 J/mol·K |
|
Safety
|
| Ingestion |
Toxic. Vomiting and diarrhea in small doses, larger doses may be fatal. |
| Inhalation |
May cause irritation. |
| Skin |
May cause irritation. |
| Eyes |
May cause irritation. |
| More info |
Hazardous Chemical Database (http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/erd/chemicals/9/8332.html) |
|
SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.
Disclaimer and references
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Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid, is a chemical compound, a mild acid often used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, and a component of other chemical compounds. It exists in the form of colorless crystals or a white powder and dissolves in water. It has the chemical formula H3BO3 and is known by the chemical name hydrogen orthoborate.
It can be used as an antiseptic only for minor burns or cuts and is sometimes used in dressings or salves or is applied in a very dilute solution as an eye wash. It is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled, although it is generally not considered to be much more toxic than table salt (based on its LD50 rating of 2660).
Boric acid can be used to treat candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections) by filling gelcaps with boric acid powder and inserting two into the vaginal canal at bedtime for three to four nights in a row.
It is often used as a relatively nontoxic insecticide, for killing cockroaches, termites, fire ants, fleas, and many other insects. It can be used directly in powdered form for fleas and cockroaches, or mixed with sugar for ants. It is also a component of many commercial insecticides. In this use, especially in the case of cockroaches, the boric acid in the form of a powder is applied to areas frequented by the insects. The lightweight particles cling to the legs of the insects and eventually cause fatal chemical burns. Boric acid for this use in residential apartments is sold commercially in urban areas afflicted with cockroaches.
Borates including boric acid have been used since the time of the Greeks for cleaning, preserving food, and other activities.
The largest source of borates in the world is an open-pit mine in Death Valley, California, USA.
Chemistry
Boric acid is soluble in boiling water . When it is heated above 170°C it dehydrates, forming metaboric acid HBO2. Metaboric acid is a white, cubic crystalline solid and is only slightly soluble in water. It melts at about 236°C, and when heated above about 300°C further dehydrates, forming tetraboric acid or pyroboric acid, H4B4O7. Boric acid can refer to any of these compounds. [1] (http://www.chemicalland21.com/arokorhi/industrialchem/inorganic/BORIC%20ACID.htm). Boric acid is produced mainly from borate ores by the reaction with sulfuric acid.cs:Kyselina boritá
de:Borsäure
es:Ácido bórico
fr:Acide borique
ja:ホウ酸
nl:Boorzuur
pl:Kwas borowy
pt:Ácido bórico
