Oxalic acid and the oxalates

Question 1

What is oxalic acid and where is if found?

Answer 1

• Naturally occuring acid molecule found in plants
• Simple organic molecules
• Sometimes can cause bad health effects
• Rubarb has high levels in the leaves
• Small amounts found in spinach, kiwi and corriander

Question 2

Structure on the oxalic molecule?

Answer 2

• C2H2O4
• Similar to lactic and acetic acid
• Small
• Is diprotic (can ionise twice). Therefor is a relativly stong acid
• Causes a sour taste

Question 3

Nutritional effect of oxalates in humans?

Answer 3

• Can make calcium unavailable by formation of insoluable salts. In our bodies, kidney stones

Question 4

Oxalates solubility on water

Answer 4

• There are different oxalates and they vairy in solubility

some examples are: oxalic acid, Ca oxalate (insoluble), Mg oxalate, K oxalate (most soluble) and Na oxalate