Question

Which of the following is the molecular formula of oxalic acid?
(a) ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{4}}$
(b) ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{3}}$
(c) ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{5}}$
(d) ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{2}}$

Answer 1

Hint: Oxalic acid is an organic compound and it is also known as dicarboxylic acid. This acid is found in plants (herbs).

Complete step by step answer:
• Oxalic acid is an organic acid with the formula ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{2}}{{O}_{4}}$. It appears as white crystalline solid. Its molar mass is $90.03g/mol$.
• Oxalic acid is a naturally occurring chemical found in many green leafy vegetables (spinach, cabbage, and broccoli), nuts and seeds.
• In plants it is usually bound to minerals to form formats.
• Oxalic acid is a reducing agent and its conjugate base, known as oxalate ${{C}_{2}}O_{4}^{2-}$. Oxalate is acting as a chelating agent for many metal cations.
• Its acidic strength is much greater than acetic acid because its conjugate base is more stable than that of acetic acid.
• It is mainly manufactured by the oxidation of saccharides (carbohydrates) in presence of vanadium pentoxide as a catalyst.
• It also occurs in many food items but excessive ingestion of it is harmful to us because prolonged contact of it with our skin causes burn out and many other diseases. As little as 5 to 15 grams (71 mg/kg) may be fatal to humans.

Therefore, option (a) is correct.

Additional information:
Oxalic corrosive can expel a few paints and varnishes. Can be acted as calcium remover.

Note: The IUPAC name of oxalic acid is Ethanedioic acid. It is also known as Wood bleach.
The empirical formula of oxalic acid is $CHO_2$ (empirical formula is the simplest positive integer ratio of atoms present in a compound).