Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Difference Between Oxalate and Oxalic Acid

Difference Between Oxalate and Oxalic Acid

September 23, 2019 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between oxalate and oxalic acid is that oxalate is an anion whereas oxalic acid is an organic compound.

Oxalate is the conjugate base of oxalic acid. However, the formation of oxalic acid is a step-wise reaction, which gives a collection of few compounds known as oxalic acid.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Oxalate 
3. What is Oxalic Acid
4. Side by Side Comparison – Oxalate vs Oxalic Acid in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Oxalate?

Oxalate is an anion having the chemical formula C2O42-. It is a dianion because it is a combination of two charged species that we can write as (COO)22-. We can abbreviate this ion as “ox”. Furthermore, it can occur as an anion in ionic compounds or as a ligand in coordination compounds. However, the conversion of oxalate into oxalic acid is a complicated and step-wise reaction.

Difference Between Oxalate and Oxalic Acid

Figure 01: Structure of Oxalate

Furthermore, the molar mass of this ion is 88 g/mol. When considering the structure of this anion, the geometry can be either planar or staggered structure according to the X-ray crystallographic analysis.

What is Oxalic Acid?

Oxalic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula H2C2O4. It is a colourless solid which easily dissolves in water. It is a dicarboxylic acid because it is a combination of two carboxylic acid groups; in fact, it is the simplest dicarboxylic acid. Moreover, it has a high acid strength and it is a strong reducing agent. The conjugate base of this acid is oxalate ion.

Key Difference - Oxalate vs Oxalic Acid

Figure 02: Structure of Oxalic Acid

Typically, this acid occurs in the dihydrate form. Moreover, it naturally occurs in some food. The molar mass of the anhydrous form is 90 g/mol.

What is the Difference Between Oxalate and Oxalic Acid?

The key difference between oxalate and oxalic acid is that oxalate is an anion whereas oxalic acid is an organic compound. Furthermore, the molar mass of oxalate is 88 g/mol while the molar mass of oxalic acid is 90g/mol. The conjugate acid of oxalate ion is oxalic acid while the conjugate base of oxalic acid is oxalate.Difference Between Oxalate and Oxalic Acid - Tabular Form

Summary – Oxalate vs Oxalic Acid

Oxalate is the anion that originates from oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is an organic compound. The key difference between oxalate and oxalic acid is that oxalate is an anion whereas oxalic acid is an organic compound.

Reference:

1. “Oxalic Acid.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Sept. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Oxalate-ion-2D-skeletal” By Kemikungen – Own work, Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Oxalsäure2” By NEUROtiker – Own work, Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Difference Between Compound and MixtureDifference Between Compound and Mixture Difference Between Iodine and Potassium IodideDifference Between Iodine and Potassium Iodide Difference Between Ammonia and Ammonium HydroxideDifference Between Ammonia and Ammonium Hydroxide Difference Between Weak and Strong AcidDifference Between Weak and Strong Acid Difference Between Ionic and Molecular CompoundsDifference Between Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

What is the Difference Between Corynebacterium Diphtheriae and Diphtheroids

What is the Difference Between Corynebacterium Diphtheriae and Diphtheroids

Difference Between AIDS and Autoimmune Disease

Difference Between AIDS and Autoimmune Disease

Difference Between Ancient and Old

Difference Between Kd and Km

Difference Between Kd and Km

Difference Between BP and Exxon

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Flat White and Cortado
  • What is the Difference Between Tack Coat and Prime Coat
  • What is the Difference Between Clogged Tear Duct and Pink Eye
  • What is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Respiratory Acidosis
  • What is the Difference Between Rigidity and Spasticity
  • What is the Difference Between Pomeranian and Indian Spitz
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.