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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. |
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"boric acid." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "boric acid." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-boricaci.html "boric acid." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-boricaci.html |
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boric acid
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.
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DAVID A. BENDER. "boric acid." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "boric acid." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-boricacid.html DAVID A. BENDER. "boric acid." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-boricacid.html |
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boric acid
boric acid (boracic acid) Soft, white crystalline solid (H3BO3) that occurs naturally in certain volcanic hot springs. It is used as a metallurgical flux, preservative, mild antiseptic, insecticide for ants and cockroaches, and to manufacture heat-resistant glass and enamals.
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"boric acid." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "boric acid." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-boricacid.html "boric acid." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-boricacid.html |
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boric acid
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. |
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Cite this article
"boric acid." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "boric acid." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-boricacid.html "boric acid." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-boricacid.html |
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