Oxalic acid CAS No. 144-62-7

Product Description

Oxalic acid, the simplest dicarboxylic acid, is a versatile and sustainable platform chemical with applications in cosmetics, polymers, and pharmaceuticals. Discovered in 1734, it is naturally found in plants like spinach and rhubarb and can be produced from renewable feedstocks, aligning with circular economy principles. Industrially, it serves as a rust remover, metal leaching agent, and anti-browning preservative in food. Its derivative, glyoxylic acid, is a key C2 building block for agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. While traditionally synthesized from fossil fuels, modern methods explore biomass oxidation, though challenges like food competition persist. Oxalic acid also plays an environmental role, enhancing pollutant uptake in soils and improving heavy metal removal in water treatment, as seen in its synergy with sulfidated zero-valent iron for efficient Cr(VI) remediation.

SAFETY DATA SHEET file download

Send Us a inquiry!

Product Use & Characteristics

General Information

• IUPAC Name: Oxalic acid

• Molecular Formula: C₂H₂O₄

• Molecular Weight: 90.03 g/mol

• Chemical Structure: Simplest dicarboxylic acid (contains two carboxyl groups, COOH).

Properties & Characteristics

• Appearance: Colorless crystalline solid.

• Solubility: Soluble in water and ethanol.

• Acidity: Strong organic acid with pKa values of 1.23 (first dissociation) and 4.19 (second dissociation).

• Natural Occurrence: Found in plants like spinach, rhubarb, and nuts; also a metabolic byproduct.

• Biodegradability: Environmentally degradable by microorganisms.

Uses & Applications

• Pharmaceuticals: Key intermediate in drug synthesis; largest industrial consumer.

• Polymers & Cosmetics: Precursor for glyoxylic acid (used in agrochemicals, fragrances, and polymers).

• Cleaning & Metal Treatment:

  • Rust and ink stain removal (converts insoluble iron compounds to soluble complexes).

  • Leaching agent for heavy metals in bauxite, clay, and electronic waste.

• Food Industry: Natural anti-browning/preservative agent for fruits/vegetables.

• Laboratory Use: Reagent in titrations (e.g., permanganate/dichromate reactions).

• Mining & Metallurgy:

  • Flotation agent for bauxite processing (enhances diaspore separation from silica).

  • Rare earth element (REE) precipitation from leach solutions (forms insoluble REE oxalates).

• Environmental Remediation:

  • Synergizes with sulfidated zero-valent iron (S-ZVI) for Cr(VI) removal via electron transfer enhancement.

  • Facilitates PFOA uptake in soils by inhibiting sorption mechanisms.

Environmental Impact

• Waste Management: Industrial discharge must be treated to minimize harm.

• Soil Interactions: Alters metal solubility (e.g., dissolves Fe/Al oxides, forms metal-oxalate complexes).

Research & Innovations

• Cr(VI) Remediation: Combined with S-ZVI to improve electron selectivity/transfer (FeS₂-FeC₂O₄·2H₂O shell mechanism).

• REE Recovery: Optimized precipitation efficiency in contaminated leachates via pH/oxalate dosage control.

• Bauxite Processing: Surface pretreatment enhances flotation efficiency by modifying mineral surfaces.

Why us!

Qingdao Sigma Chemical Co., Ltd., established in January 2017 and headquartered in Qingdao, China, is a reliable chemical supplier. Specializing in pharmaceuticals, biochemical intermediates, and research chemicals, the company offers a diverse product portfolio, including peptides (e.g., Tirzepatide, Semaglutide), nootropics, veterinary products, and APIs, often marketed with ≥99% purity and COA certification. We provides R&D, custom synthesis, and contract manufacturing services at various scales, while claiming a global export presence across 100+ countries. With international warehouses in the USA, Europe, Australia, and Canada, Qingdao Sigma Chemical also facilitates drop-shipping and reshipments, positioning itself as a key supplier for laboratory and research applications.