Oxalic acid dihydrate acts as an analytical reagent, as a reducing agent for photographic films and as a mordant in dyeing process. It is used as a plating agent, a surface treating agent, a grinding agent, a precipitating agent in rare-earth mineral processing, a bleaching agent in textile and a purifying agent in pharmaceutical industry. It plays an important role in antibiotic medication like oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol. It finds application in water treatment plants to remove calcium waste water. It is also used as a buffer in chromatographic separation as well as bleach for wood, removing black stains caused by water penetration.
This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.
Applications
Oxalic acid dihydrate acts as an analytical reagent, as a reducing agent for photographic films and as a mordant in dyeing process. It is used as a plating agent, a surface treating agent, a grinding agent, a precipitating agent in rare-earth mineral processing, a bleaching agent in textile and a purifying agent in pharmaceutical industry. It plays an important role in antibiotic medication like oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol. It finds application in water treatment plants to remove calcium waste water. It is also used as a buffer in chromatographic separation as well as bleach for wood, removing black stains caused by water penetration.
Solubility
Soluble in water, ethanol, ether and glycerol. Insoluble in chloroform.
Notes
Hygroscopic. Keep the container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Incompatible with bases, acid chlorides and alkali metals.
RUO – Research Use Only
For a brief feature on uses as a very useful Bronsted acid in organic synthesis, see: Synlett, 2838 (2004).
Stash, A. I.; Chen, Y. S.; Kovalchukova, O. V.; Tsirelson, V. G. Electron density, electrostatic potential, and spatial organization of ammonium hydrooxalate oxalic acid dihydrate heteromolecular crystal from data of diffraction experiment at 15 K using synchrotron radiation and theoretical calculations. Russ. Chem. Bull. 2013, 62 (8), 1752-1763.
Mokhtary, M.; Qandalee, M.; Niaki, M. R. Highly Efficient Selective Oxygenation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides by Oxalic Acid Dihydrate in the Presence of H2O2. J. Chem. 2012, 9 (2), 863-868.