Boric acid
Chemical formula
H3BO3 |
| Appearance |
White solid |
|
Physical
|
| Formula weight |
61.8 amu |
| Melting point |
Decomposes at 442 K (169 °C) |
| Density |
1.4 ×103 kg/m3 |
| Crystal structure |
? |
| Solubility |
5.7 g in 100g water |
|
Thermochemistry
|
| ΔfH0gas |
-992.28 kJ/mol |
| ΔfH0solid |
-1093.99 kJ/mol |
| S0gas, 1 bar |
295.23 J/mol·K |
| S0solid |
88.7 J/mol·K |
|
Safety
|
| Ingestion |
Toxic. Vomiting and diarrhea in small doses, larger doses may be fatal. |
| Inhalation |
May cause irritation. |
| Skin |
May cause irritation. |
| Eyes |
May cause irritation. |
| More info |
|
|
SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.
Disclaimer and references
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Boric acid, also called
boracic acid, is a
chemical compound, a mild
acid often used as an
antiseptic,
insecticide,
flame retardant, and a component of other chemical compounds. It exists in the form of colorless crystals or a white powder and dissolves in water. It has the
chemical formula H3BO3 and is known by the chemical name hydrogen orthoborate.
It can be used as an antiseptic only for minor burns or cuts and is sometimes used in dressings or salves or is applied in a very dilute solution as an eye wash. It is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled, although it is generally not considered to be much more toxic than
table salt (based on its
LD50 rating of 2660).
It is often used as a relatively nontoxic insecticide, for killing
cockroaches,
termites,
fire ants,
fleas, and many other
insects. It can be used directly in powdered form for fleas and cockroaches, or mixed with sugar for ants. It is also a component of many commercial insecticides.
Borates including boric acid have been used since the time of the
Greeks for cleaning, preserving food, and other activites.
The largest source of borates in the world is an open-pit mine in
Death Valley,
California,
USA.
