Physical Properties:

Oxalic acid is the simplest dicarboxylic acid. It is a white crystalline solid that forms a colourless solution in water. Its name comes from the fact that early investigators isolated oxalic acid from flowering plants of the genus Oxalis, commonly known as wood-sorrels. It occurs naturally in many foods.

Application:

1. In the printing and dyeing of fabrics, especially calico;
2. For the treatment of leather products, especially the leather used to make book covers;
3. As a paint and varnish remover as well as a stain remover for ink and rust marks;
4. In the manufacture of blue ink, celluloid, rubber, and other synthetic products;
5. For the decolorization of glycerol and the stabilization of hydrocyanic acid (HCN);
6. As a purification agent for various chemicals, especially methanol (methyl alcohol); and
7. In the preparation of certain medicines and pharmaceuticals.