ORTHOBORIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Orthoboric acid, also known as boracic acid or acidum boricum, is a weak, monobasic acid commonly found as a white, crystalline powder or colorless crystals. Its chemical formula is H3BO3, reflecting its structure of three hydroxyl groups (OH) bonded to a boron atom (B), which is further attached to a single oxygen atom (O). The acid is derived from the element boron.
Orthoboric acid is widely used in various industries and applications due to its unique properties. It acts as a weak Lewis acid, readily accepting hydroxide ions to form borate ions. This characteristic makes it an effective mild antiseptic, fungicide, and insecticide. Additionally, it exhibits excellent buffering and chelating properties, enabling it to stabilize acidic or alkaline conditions in numerous products, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and cleaning agents.
In medicine, orthoboric acid is employed as an astringent, mild disinfectant, and eye cleanser. It is commonly utilized to treat eye infections, relieve symptoms of certain skin conditions, and as an ingredient in ointments or powders for healing minor wounds. Furthermore, orthoboric acid finds application in the production of glass and ceramics, as an ingredient in flame retardants, and as a precursor to other boron compounds.
Despite its beneficial applications, orthoboric acid can be toxic if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. As a result, precautions should be taken to prevent accidental exposure.
Common Misspellings for ORTHOBORIC ACID
- irthoboric acid
- krthoboric acid
- lrthoboric acid
- prthoboric acid
- 0rthoboric acid
- 9rthoboric acid
- oethoboric acid
- odthoboric acid
- ofthoboric acid
- otthoboric acid
- o5thoboric acid
- o4thoboric acid
- orrhoboric acid
- orfhoboric acid
- orghoboric acid
- oryhoboric acid
- or6hoboric acid
- or5hoboric acid
- ortgoboric acid
Etymology of ORTHOBORIC ACID
The word "Orthoboric Acid" is derived from the Greek word "orthos", meaning "straight" or "correct", and the term "boric acid", which refers to a chemical compound containing the element boron.
The term "ortho-" in chemistry is commonly used to denote a specific arrangement or geometric orientation of atoms within a molecule. In the case of orthoboric acid, this term is used to distinguish it from other forms or compounds of boric acid that might have different arrangements or properties.
Overall, the etymology of "Orthoboric Acid" reflects the chemical nature and specific arrangement of atoms in the compound, emphasizing its unique structure and distinguishing it from other related substances.
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