Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 11

boric acid

H3BO3; a weak acid, with antiseptic properties. Dilute solutions have a pH of about 6, while partially neutralized solutions have a pH of about 9. Salts of boric acid are called borates. Hydrated boron(III) oxide (B2O3) is also called boracic acid.

Boric acid
General
Other names Orthoboric acid,
Boracic acid,
Sassolite,
Optibor®,
Borofax®
Molecular formula B(OH)3
Molar mass 61.832 g/mol
Appearance White crystalline solid
CAS number [10043-35-3]
Properties
Density and phase 1.435 g/cm³, solid.
Solubility in water 5.7 g/100 ml (25°C)
Melting point 169°C decomp.
Acidity (pKa) 9.24 (see text)
Structure
Molecular shape Planar
Crystal structure  ?
Dipole moment Zero
Thermodynamic data
Standard enthalpy
of formation ΔfHsolid
−1093.99 kJ/mol
Standard molar entropy
Ssolid
88.7 J.K
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
EU classification N/A
NFPA 704 1 0 0  
Flash point Non-flammable.
Supplementary data page
Structure and
properties
n, εr, etc.
Thermodynamic
data
Phase behaviour
Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Related compounds Boron trioxide
Borax
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25°C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid, is a mild acid often used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, in nuclear power plants to control the fission rate of uranium, and as a precursor of other chemical compounds. (Toxicity ref: http://www.natbat.com/docs/boron.htm)

Boric acid can be used to treat yeast and fungal infections such as 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.

Lithium boric acid is the lithium salt of boric acid and is used in the laboratory as buffer for gel.

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