Reactions
Oxalic acid is a relatively strong acid, despite being a carboxylic acid:
- C2O4H2 → C2O4H− + H+; pKa = 1.27
- C2O4H− → C2O42− + H+; pKa = 4.27
Oxalic acid undergoes many of the reactions characteristic of other carboxylic acids. It forms esters such as dimethyl oxalate (m.p. 52.5–53.5 °C). It forms an acid chloride called oxalyl chloride.
Oxalate, the conjugate base of oxalic acid, is an excellent ligand for metal ions, e.g. the drug oxaliplatin.
Oxalic acid and oxalates can be oxidized by permanganate in an autocatalytic reaction.
Read more about this topic: Oxalic Acid
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—W.N.P. Barbellion (1889–1919)
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