Oxalic Acid

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Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid is often used as a reducing agent in chemical reactions. Due to its double COOH groups it is also one of the strongest organic acids available to medical students. People working with oxalic acid should be careful to avoid accidental ingestion as the acid is known to bind strongly to metal ions (LD50 is 378 mg/kg). The major form of toxicity comes from kidney failure. Kidney stones form from the binding of oxalate and calcium to form calcium oxalate.

Reaction

Ca2+ + C2O42- ---> CaC2O4