Description

1. Chelating Agent: Oxalic acid is a strong chelating agent, meaning it can bind to metal ions, forming complexes. This property makes it useful in various industrial processes such as metal cleaning and polishing, textile bleaching, and rust removal.
2. Precipitating Agent: Oxalic acid forms insoluble salts with many metals, such as calcium and iron. These salts are often used in analytical chemistry for precipitation reactions to separate and identify metal ions.
3. Reducing Agent: In some reactions, oxalic acid can act as a reducing agent, meaning it donates electrons to another chemical species, causing reduction (i.e., a decrease in oxidation state).
4. Bleaching Agent: Oxalic acid is used as a bleaching agent in textile and wood industries. It can effectively remove stains and coloration caused by dyes and other substances.
5. Pest Control: In agriculture, oxalic acid is sometimes used as a pesticide to control certain pests and diseases.