What is the Difference Between Orthoboric Acid and Metaboric Acid?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Orthoboric acid and metaboric acid are both inorganic boron compounds, but they differ in their molecular structure, forms, and hydration states. The main differences between orthoboric acid and metaboric acid include:
- Molecular Structure: Orthoboric acid has the molecular formula ${H3}B{O3}$, while metaboric acid has the molecular formula $HB{O_2}$.
- Forms: Orthoboric acid occurs only in molecular form, whereas metaboric acid can occur in both molecular and polymeric forms.
- Hydration State: Orthoboric acid is in a hydrated form, while metaboric acid is in a dehydrated form.
- Melting Point: The melting point of metaboric acid is about 236°C, while the melting point of orthoboric acid is 170.9°C.
In summary, orthoboric acid and metaboric acid differ in their molecular structure, forms, hydration state, and melting points. Orthoboric acid is a hydrated molecular compound, while metaboric acid can exist in both molecular and polymeric forms and is dehydrated.
Comparative Table: Orthoboric Acid vs Metaboric Acid
The main difference between orthoboric acid and metaboric acid lies in their structural forms and hydration states. Here is a comparison between the two:
Property | Orthoboric Acid | Metaboric Acid |
---|---|---|
Chemical Formula | H₃BO₃ | HBO₂ |
Hydrated Form | Hydrated | Dehydrated |
Molecular Form | Mono hydrated | Molecular and Polymeric forms |
Orthoboric acid, also known as boric acid or boric powder, is an inorganic acid that usually appears as a white-colored powder. It is a weak acid and has antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. Metaboric acid, on the other hand, is a derivative of boric acid and forms from the dehydration of boric acid. It can occur in both molecular and polymeric forms.
Heating orthoboric acid above 140°C leads to its dehydration, resulting in the formation of metaboric acid (HBO₂) and the release of one water molecule. Further heating of metaboric acid above 180°C triggers the second dehydration step, leading to the formation of tetraboric acid, also known as pyroboric acid (H2B4O7), with the release of an additional water molecule.
- Boric Acid vs Borax
- Orthophosphoric Acid vs Phosphoric Acid
- Ortho Pyro vs Meta Phosphoric Acid
- Methanoic Acid vs Ethanoic Acid
- Organic Acid vs Inorganic Acid
- Carbonic Acid vs Carbolic Acid
- Oxalic Acid vs Citric Acid
- Boron vs Borax
- Oxalic Acid vs Acetic Acid
- Carbonic Acid vs Bicarbonate
- Maleic Acid vs Fumaric Acid
- Phosphoric Acid vs Citric Acid
- Malic Acid vs Citric Acid
- Oxalate vs Oxalic Acid
- Butyrate vs Butyric Acid
- Ethanoic Acid vs Propanoic Acid
- Borazine vs Diborane
- Tartaric Acid vs Citric Acid
- Citric Acid vs Ascorbic Acid