Oxalic acid (etandiovy acid) of HOOCCOOH — dibasic saturated carboxylic acid. Belongs to strong organic acids. Possesses all chemical properties characteristic of carboxylic acids. Salts and ethers of oxalic acid are called oxalates. In the nature contains in sorrel, rhubarb, cannon and some other plants in free look and in the form of potassium oxalates and calcium.
Oxalic acid and oxalates find application in the textile and tanning industry as pickle. They serve as components of anode bathtubs for sedimentation of metallic coatings — aluminum, titanium and tin of coverings. Oxalic acid and oxalates are the reagents used in analytical and organic chemistry. It are removers of rust and oxide films on metal; are applied to sedimentation of rare earth elements.
Derivatives of oxalic acid — dialkyloxalates, mainly oxalic ester and dibutyloxalate — are applied as cellulose solvents. Number of esters of oxalic acid and the replaced phenols are used as chemiluminescent reagents.
