Perboric acid is a chemical compound with the chemical formula H4B2O5. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /pɜːr/ - indicating the sound of the letter "e" as in "per", followed by /bɔːr/ - indicating the sound of the letter "o" as in "bore", and finally /ɪk/ - indicating the sound of the letter "i" as in "ick". The correct spelling of this word is essential for communication in the scientific and chemical fields.
Perboric Acid is a chemical compound with the molecular formula H3BO4, and is also known by its systematic name hydrogen borate. It is a white, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. Perboric acid is a member of the peroxide family of compounds, with a structure based on the boron atom bonded to three hydroxyl groups and one peroxy group (O-O bond).
This compound is primarily used as an oxidizing agent, especially in various industries such as pharmaceutical, textile, and detergent manufacturing. It is commonly used as a bleaching agent due to its strong oxidizing properties, effectively removing stains and discoloration from fabrics and surfaces.
Perboric acid acts as a source of active oxygen, releasing it slowly when dissolved in water. This slow release allows it to provide sustained bleaching and disinfecting effects. The compound breaks down into hydrogen peroxide in water, which further reacts with the stain or unwanted pigments, breaking down their chemical structure and rendering them colorless.
While perboric acid is a versatile and effective oxidizer, it must be handled with care due to its corrosive nature. Prolonged exposure or ingestion can cause severe irritation, burns, and other health hazards. Therefore, proper safety precautions should be taken when working with this chemical compound.
In conclusion, perboric acid is a powerful and widely used oxidizing agent, commonly employed as a bleaching agent in various industries, particularly in textile and detergent manufacturing, due to its ability to remove stains and discoloration effectively.
Pyroboric acid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word perboric acid is composed of two parts: per- and boric acid.
The prefix per- in chemistry denotes the presence of a higher oxidation state or a higher number of oxygen atoms compared to a similar compound without the per- prefix. It comes from the Latin word per meaning through or thoroughly.
Boric acid, on the other hand, refers to a compound that contains boron, oxygen, and hydrogen. The term boric originates from the element boron, which takes its name from the mineral borax. The word borax traces back to the Persian word burah and the Arabic word buraq, both meaning borax.
Therefore, perboric acid is a compound that consists of boric acid with an increased oxidation state of boron, indicated by the prefix per-.