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Boric acid has a role as an astringent.
Boric acid is a conjugate acid of a dihydrogenborate.
Boric acid is a precursor material for other boron compounds.
CAS Number: 10043-35-3
Molecular Formula: BH3O3
Molecular Weight: 61.83
EINECS Number: 233-139-2
Synonyms:BORIC ACID, 10043-35-3, orthoboric acid, boracic acid, boric acid (H3BO3), boron hydroxide, boron trihydroxide, trihydroxyborane, trihydroxyboron, hydrogen orthoborate, boricum acidum, ortho-boric acid, boracic acidum, B(OH)3, H3BO3, boric acid flakes, boric acid powder, boric acid ACS reagent, boric acid USP grade, boric acid NF grade, boric acid JP grade, boric acid EP monograph, boric acid pharmaceutical grade, boric acid electrophoresis grade, boric acid BioXtra, boric acid reagent grade, E284, INS 284, INS-284, UNII-R57ZHV85D4, R57ZHV85D4, DTXSID1020194, DTXCID10194, CHEBI:33118, HSDB 1432, CCRIS 855, EINECS 233-139-2, RefChem:6396, boric acid，technical;boric acid for condenser;boric acid for high purity;boric acid for medicine;TRIS-BORAT-EDTA PUFFER;TRIS-BORATE-EDTA DISODIUM;Ant flip;basilitb
Boric acid is a monobasic acid that exhibits extremely weak acidity (Ka = 5.8 × 10⁻¹⁰), similar to silicic acid (K₁ = 2 × 10⁻¹⁰).
Boric acid upon ionisation in water, it does not donate protons directly but instead forms a complex with hydroxide ions present in the solution:H₃BO₃ + 2H₂O → H₃O⁺ + B(OH)₄⁻
This behaviour is related to the electron-deficient nature characteristic of boron compounds.
Boric acid, the boron atom acts as an electron pair acceptor by bonding with a hydroxide ion, where the oxygen atom serves as the electron pair donor.
Boric acid is considered a typical Lewis acid.
When glycerol or mannitol [CH₂(OH)(CHOH)₄CH₂OH] is added to a boric acid solution, its acidity increases.
This is because boric acid forms a coordination complex (anion) with glycerol, which facilitates the release of H⁺ ions, thereby enhancing ionisation.
Boric acid is a member of boric acids.
A dilute water solution of boric acid is usually employed as a mild antiseptic and eyewash.
Boric acid is too employed in leather manufacture, electroplating, and cosmetics.
Boric acid, more specifically orthoboric acid, is a compound of boron, oxygen, and hydrogen with formula B(OH)3.
It may also be called hydrogen orthoborate, trihydroxidoboron or boracic acid.
Boric acid is usually encountered as colorless crystals or a white powder, that dissolves in water, and occurs in nature as the mineral sassolite.
Boric acid is a weak acid that yields various borate anions and salts, and can react with alcohols to form borate esters.
Boric acid is an inorganic weak acid of boron with the chemical formula H₃BO₃.
It is widely used as an antiseptic, preservative, buffer, insect control agent, and industrial chemical.
Boric acid occurs naturally in some volcanic waters and mineral deposits.
Chemically, boric acid is composed of boron, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms arranged in a trigonal planar structure.
Unlike typical acids, it acts as a Lewis acid, meaning it accepts hydroxide ions rather than donating protons directly.
This gives it mild acidic behavior in water.
Physically, it appears as a white crystalline powder or colorless flakes.
Boric acid is slightly soluble in cold water and more soluble in hot water.
It is odorless and stable under normal conditions.
Boric acid has mild antiseptic and antifungal properties, helping inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.
This makes it useful in medical and hygiene applications.
It supports infection control.
Boric acid acts as a buffering agent, helping stabilize pH in solutions.
It resists strong changes in acidity or alkalinity.
This improves chemical stability in formulations.
Boric acid has insecticidal properties, particularly against ants, cockroaches, and other household pests.
It disrupts their metabolism and digestive systems over time.
This improves pest control effectiveness.
Boric acid is used in glass and ceramics production, where it improves thermal resistance and durability.
It helps modify melting behavior of glass materials.
Boric acid is best described as a mild inorganic boron-based compound used for antiseptic, buffering, insect control, and industrial applications due to its weak acidic and antimicrobial properties.
Melting point: 160 °C (dec.) (lit.)
Boiling point: 219-220 °C (9.7513 mmHg)
Density: 1.440 g/cm3
bulk density: 400-600kg/m3
vapor pressure: 2.6 mm Hg (20 °C)
refractive index: n20/D 1.330-1.340
storage temp.: Store at +5°C to +30°C.
solubility: H2O: soluble
pka: 8.91±0.43(Predicted)
form: working solution
color: ≤10(APHA)
Specific Gravity: 1.435
PH: 3.6-4.4 (25℃, saturated solution in H2O)
Odor: Odorless
PH Range: 3.8 - 4.8
Water Solubility: 49.5 g/L (20 ºC)
Sensitive: Hygroscopic
λmax: λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.05; λ: 280 nm Amax: 0.05
Merck: 14,1336
BRN: 1697939
Henry's Law Constant: 3.8×106 mol/(m3Pa) at 25℃, HSDB (2015)
Exposure limits: ACGIH: TWA 2 mg/m3; STEL 6 mg/m3
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: BUFFERING; DENATURANT; ANTIMICROBIAL
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR): Boric acid (10043-35-3)
InChI: 1S/BH3O3/c2-1(3)4/h2-4H
InChIKey: KGBXLFKZBHKPEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: OB(O)O
LogP: -1.09 at 22℃
Boric acid, also known as orthoboric acid, appears as white crystalline powder or as lustrous, lamellar crystals with triclinic axes.
Boric acid possesses a faintly bitter taste and imparts a slippery sensation upon skin contact.
Boric acid dissolves in water, ethanol, glycerol, ethers, and essential oils.
Boric acids aqueous solution exhibits weak acidity.
Upon heating to 70–100°C, orthoboric acid gradually dehydrates to form metaboric acid; at 150–160°C it becomes pyroboric acid; and at 300°C it decomposes into boric anhydride (B₂O₃).
Boric acid is toxic to humans.
Boric acids weakly acidic aqueous solution exhibits typical Lewis acid properties.
The presence of hydrochloric acid, citric acid, or tartaric acid enhances its solubility in water.
Boric acid has uses in the production of textile fiberglass, flat panel displays, and eye drops.
Boric acid is recognized for its application as a pH buffer and as a moderate antiseptic agent and emulsifier.
Boric acid occurs naturally as the mineral sassolite.
However, the majority of boric acid is produced by reacting inorganic borates with sulfuric acid in an aqueous medium.
Boric acid and partially refined calcium borate (colemanite) are the principal raw materials.
When boric acid is made from colemanite, the fineground ore is vigorously stirred with mother liquor and sulfuric acid at about 908℃.
The by-product calcium sulfate is removed by filtration, and the boric acid is crystallized by cooling the filtrate.
Boric acid also shows weak antiseptic action that depends on concentration and exposure time.
Boric acid works mainly by interfering with microbial enzyme activity.
This helps slow microbial growth rather than killing organisms rapidly.
Boric acid has mild antifungal effectiveness, especially against yeast and some surface fungi.
This is why it has been used in eye and skin preparations in the past.
This improves local infection control.
Boric acid is used in ophthalmic (eye) solutions in very low concentrations to help maintain sterility and comfort.
It acts as a gentle buffering and stabilizing agent.
This improves formulation safety.
Boric acid can act as a fire-resistant additive in materials, because boron compounds help form a protective glassy layer when heated.
This slows flame spread in some treated materials.
This improves fire safety.
Boric acid is used in nuclear applications, where boron’s neutron-absorbing ability is important.
Boric acid can help control nuclear reactions in reactor cooling systems.
This improves radiation safety.
Boric acid has good compatibility with many polymers and solutions, making it useful in industrial chemistry.
It can stabilize formulations without strong reactivity.
This improves chemical flexibility.
Boric acid is used in cosmetics and personal care products (limited use today), mainly as a pH adjuster or preservative in older formulations.
Modern regulations restrict or reduce its use in some regions.
This reflects updated safety standards.
Boric acid plays a role in wood preservation and antifungal treatments, where it helps protect against rot and insect damage.
It increases material lifespan.
This improves durability.
It is used in laboratory chemistry as a mild acid and buffer component.
Boric acid provides stable pH conditions for reactions.
Boric acid is a mild inorganic boron compound with antiseptic, antifungal, buffering, insecticidal, and industrial applications, valued for its low reactivity and functional stability in many technical and medical systems.
Uses:
Boric acid can be used to study molecular biology, DNA and RNA purification, biological buffers and molecular biology reagents.
Boric acid has been used to test the toxic effects of boron on growth and antioxidant system parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) roots.
Boric acid has also been used to study the effect of time period after boric acid injection on (10)B absorption in different regions of adult male rat′s brain.
Boric acid is widely used in medicine and healthcare, especially in very low concentrations.
It is found in some eye wash solutions and mild antiseptic preparations.
This helps maintain cleanliness and reduce microbial growth.
Boric acid is used in pharmaceutical formulations as a buffering and stabilizing agent.
It helps control pH in medicinal solutions.
Boric acid improves product stability and effectiveness.
In antiseptic and antifungal applications, it is used for treating minor skin infections and yeast-related conditions in some formulations.
Boric acid helps inhibit microbial growth on surfaces.
This improves local infection control.
Boric acid is applied in ophthalmic products, where it helps maintain sterility and comfort in eye drops.
It supports gentle buffering of tear-like solutions.
This improves eye care formulations.
In pest control products, boric acid is used as a slow-acting insecticide.
It is effective against ants, cockroaches, and termites.
This improves household pest management.
Boric acid is widely used in glass and ceramic production, where it improves heat resistance and durability.
It helps modify melting properties of silica-based materials.
Boric acid improves manufacturing quality.
In fiberglass and insulation materials, it is used to enhance thermal and fire resistance.
It contributes to the formation of stable glass structures.
This improves industrial performance.
It is used in nuclear applications, where boron compounds help absorb neutrons.
This is important in reactor control and radiation shielding.
This improves nuclear safety.
In metalworking and metallurgy, it can be used as a flux in soldering and welding.
Boric acid helps clean metal surfaces and prevent oxidation.
Boric acid improves bonding quality.
In laboratory and chemical research, it is used as a mild acid, buffer, and reagent.
It helps maintain controlled pH conditions in experiments.
Boric acid is used across medical, pharmaceutical, pest control, glass, ceramics, nuclear, metallurgy, and laboratory applications due to its mild acidity, buffering ability, antimicrobial properties, and chemical stability.
Boric acid is also used in contact lens cleaning and disinfecting solutions (in carefully controlled low concentrations).
It helps maintain mild antimicrobial conditions and stabilizes pH.
Boric acid improves lens hygiene and comfort.
Boric acid is applied in cosmetic and skincare products (restricted in many regions), where it has historically been used as a preservative and buffering agent.
It helps maintain formulation stability.
Boric acid improves product shelf life.
Boric acid is used in wood preservation treatments, where it protects against fungi, mold, and insect damage.
It penetrates wood and slows biological degradation.
Boric acid improves durability of timber.
In textile industry applications, boric acid can be used in finishing processes to improve flame resistance.
Boric acid helps reduce flammability of treated fabrics.
Boric acid improves material safety.
It is used in cooling and industrial water systems, where it can help control pH and reduce microbial growth.
Boric acid contributes to system stability in closed-loop systems.
Boric acid improves operational efficiency.
Boric acid is applied in lubricants and metalworking fluids, where it helps stabilize formulations and reduce friction-related degradation.
It supports smoother industrial processing.
This improves equipment performance.
In ceramic glaze formulations, boric acid helps create smooth, durable, and heat-resistant surfaces.
Boric acid lowers melting temperatures of glaze components.
Boric acid improves final product quality.
Boric acid is used in optical glass and specialty glass production, where it improves clarity and thermal stability.
Boric acid enhances resistance to thermal shock.
This improves material performance.
Boric acid is also used in educational chemistry experiments, such as crystal formation and acid–base reaction demonstrations.
It helps visualize chemical processes in a controlled way.
Boric acid is used wherever mild acidity, buffering, antimicrobial activity, flame resistance, and material stabilization are required across medical, industrial, laboratory, and manufacturing applications.
Safety Profile:
Boric acid is a weak bacteriostatic and antimicrobial agent, and has been used in topical preparations such as eye lotions, mouthwashes and gargles.
Boric acid has also been used in US- and Japanese-approved intravenous products.
Solutions of boric acid were formerly used to wash out body cavities, and as applications to wounds and ulcers, although the use of boric acid for these purposes is now regarded as inadvisable owing to the possibility of absorption.
Boric acid is not used internally owing to its toxicity.
It is poisonous by ingestion and moderately toxic by skin contact.
Experimentally it has proved to be toxic by inhalation and subcutaneous routes, and moderately toxic by intraperitoneal and intravenous routes.
Boric acid is generally considered a low to moderate toxicity chemical, but it is regulated because of reproductive toxicity concerns at higher or prolonged exposures.
It is widely used, but safety limits are strictly defined in food, cosmetics, and industrial settings.
This reflects precaution rather than acute danger.
The most important hazard is reproductive toxicity.
Animal studies show that high or long-term exposure to boric acid can affect fertility and fetal development.
This is the main reason it is restricted in many consumer applications.
Boric acid can cause eye irritation, especially in powder form or concentrated solutions.
Symptoms may include redness, tearing, and discomfort.
This effect is usually temporary.
Skin contact may lead to mild irritation or dryness, especially with repeated exposure.
Sensitive individuals may develop dermatitis.
This is generally reversible.
Inhalation of dust may cause respiratory irritation, including coughing or throat discomfort.
This is mainly an occupational exposure risk in industrial handling.
Ingestion of large amounts may result in gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.
