From: Donald
Subject: Re: [BEE-L] Vs: Re: [BEE-L] Formic and Oxalic acids
To: BEE-L
The physical properties of oxalic acid may
be of interest in this connection. The stuff one buys is usually oxalic
acid dihydrate, which is a crystal which has two water molecules
attached to each oxalic acid molecule. The CRC Handbook of Chemistry and
Physics gives the following properties for oxalic acid dihydrate:
On heating:
1) The water of hydration leaves at
101.5° C (214.7° F) The water boils off leaving anhydrous oxalic acid crystals.
2) At 157° C (314.6° F) the oxalic acid starts to sublime (goes directly
from solid to gas)
3) At 189° C (372.2° F) the oxalic acid which has not yet sublimed
decomposes to formic acid and carbon monoxide.
Best regards,
Donald |