boric acid

boric acid any one of the three chemical compounds, orthoboric (or boracic) acid, metaboric acid, and tetraboric (or pyroboric) acid; the term often refers simply to orthoboric acid. The acids may be thought of as hydrates of boric oxide, B ₂ O ₃ . Orthoboric acid, H ₃ BO ₃ or B ₂ O ₃ ·3H ₂ O, is colorless, weakly acidic, and forms triclinic crystals. It is fairly soluble in boiling water (about 27% by weight) but less so in cold water (about 6% by weight at room temperature). When orthoboric acid is heated above 170°C it dehydrates, forming metaboric acid, HBO ₂ or B ₂ O ₃ ·H ₂ O. 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, H ₄ B ₄ O ₇ or B ₂ O ₃ ·H ₂ O. Tetraboric acid is either a vitreous solid or a white powder and is water soluble. When tetraboric or metaboric acid is dissolved it reverts largely to orthoboric acid. The major uses of the boric acids are in forming other boron compounds and in borate salts, e.g., borax . A dilute water solution of boric acid is commonly used as a mild antiseptic and eyewash. Boric acid is also used in leather manufacture, electroplating, and cosmetics. Boric acid can be crystallized from an acidified borax solution. It occurs as the mineral sassolite in the Tuscan region of Italy, where it is also recovered from hot springs and vapors. In the United States boric acid is recovered from brines from Searles Lake in California.

boric acid Chemically H₃BO₄, derived from the element boron, boric acid has been used in the past as a preservative in bacon and margarine, but boron accumulates in the body. Formerly used as an anti‐infective agent and eye‐wash (boracic acid) but there was a high incidence of toxic reactions.

bo·ric ac·id • n. Chem. a weakly acid crystalline compound, B(OH)₃, derived from borax and used as a mild antiseptic and in the manufacture of heat-resistant glass and enamels.