Boric Acid - Overview, Structure, Preparation, Uses, FAQs

What is Boric acid (H₃BO₃)?

Molecularly, boric acid powder has the chemical formula H₃BO₃ and is a monobasic Lewis acid.

One phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms make up this acid. 3 hydrogen atoms and 4 oxygen atoms make up this acid. Boric acid powder is also called hydrogen borate, boracic acid, Actium Boricua, orthoboric acid, and Antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic properties make this an effective acid. There is no particular smell associated with boric acid powder since it is soluble in water. A white powdery compound may also exist under standard conditions.

Borax boric powder and hydrochloric acid are used to make boric acid. In 1832 Wilhelm Homberg prepared boric acid using borax boric powder for the first time.

Medicines containing Boric acid

A common use of boric acid in the treatment of minor cuts and burns is as an antiseptic. In addition to its use in dressings and salves, this compound is also used in medicine. You can use boric acid as an eyewash at very dilute concentrations. Humans can also treat acne with boric acid because of its antibacterial properties. It can be found in powdered form. Additionally, it can be sprinkled in socks and shoes to prevent athlete's

Consuming or inhaling excessive amounts of boric acid can lead to poisoning. Boric acid can also seriously damage the kidneys after prolonged exposure.

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The structure of molecules and crystals

A trigonal planar geometry of oxygen atoms surrounds the boron. O-H is 97 pm long, while B-O is 136 cm long. There are three molecular point groups in the molecule.

B(OH)₃ molecules arranged in layers in crystallized boric acid are linked by hydrogen bonds of 272 micrometres in length. Three hundred eighty-six pixels separate two adjacent layers.

Boric acid preparation

Making boric acid is relatively easy when you combine borax with any mineral acid (such as hydrogen chloride). For this reaction, you can write the following chemical equation:

Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O + 2HCl → 4H₃BO₃ + 5H₂O + 2NaCl

The hydrolysis of diborane or trihalides of boron can also result in the production of boric acid (such as boron trichloride or boron trifluoride).

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Boric acid - H₃BO₃ Properties

As a crystalline solid, boric acid is soluble in water under standard conditions of temperature and pressure (STP). It is temperature-dependent how well H₃BO₃ dissolves in water. Solubility is 57 grams per litre of boric acid in water at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. This compound is, however, soluble in water when heated to 100 degrees Celsius, where its solubility increases to approximately 275 grams per litre.

Furthermore, boric acid is only slightly soluble in acetone and barely soluble in pyridine. An ion of boric acid is called the borate anion as its conjugate base.

Boric acid solutions are acidic when containing polyols containing cis-vicinal diols (for example, mannitol and glycerol). Under different concentrations of mannitol, pK of B(OH)₃ has been found to vary by five orders of magnitude (from 9 to 4). As a result, boric acid with increased acidity can be called magnetologic acid in presence of mannitol.

H₃BO₃ Molecule Structure

Boric acid molecules are composed of single bonds between boron and oxygen. Three hydroxyl groups surround the boron atom and link it to the central position. Overall, boric acid has a triangular planar molecular geometry. This is a diagram illustrating how H₃BO₃ molecules are structured.

How is Boric acid Used?

Boric acid is used for the following purposes.

Fiberglass textiles are made with it

1. Inflatable displays are made from this material

2. In hydrofluoric acid, it neutralizes the active acids.

3. A blacksmith uses it to make welding flux

4. The electroplating process uses this.

5. Jewellery manufacturers use it.

6. Silly putty is made from it

7. Insecticidal properties.

8. Antiseptic and antibacterial properties make it useful.

9. As a dry lubricant, it is used on carrom boards.

10. Some nuclear plants use it as a neutron poison

11. It preserves grains like wheat and rice

12. Boric powder for cockroaches are best for pest control.

The use of boric acid is not uncommon when it comes to the list of chemical additives included in hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking). Furthermore, it is also used as a cross-linking and gelling agent in the drilling fluid, which is pumped at high pressure into wells, so that its viscosity and rheology can be regulated.

Moreover, it is essential to regulate the fluid viscosity in order to keep the grains of the propping agents suspended for long distances during transportation, as well as to keep the cracks in the shales open for gas extraction after relieving the hydraulic pressure.

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Poisoning by Boric acid

Chronic or acute poisoning from this substance is possible. The effects of acute boric acid poisoning are similar to those of roach-killing powders. When ingested in large quantities, boric acid can cause serious damage to many areas of the body. It may take several weeks for the damage to the oesophagus and stomach to resolve after swallowing boric acid. Death may result from complications that manifest months after the initial diagnosis.

Exposure to borax in studies did not cause long-term respiratory problems. Boric acid is linked with gastrointestinal discomfort over the long term, however. Common side effects include headaches, fever, tremors, twitching, lack of energy, and weakness. There have been varying limits to the use of borax in insecticides in the United States since 1946. Borax was abolished from all EPA limits in February 1986 due to its low toxicity, according to two EPA records.

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