From: Donald Aitken Subject: Re: [BEE-L] Vs: Re: [BEE-L] Formic and Oxalic acids To: BEE-L The physical properties of oxalic acid may be of interest in this connection. The stuff one buys is usually oxalic acid dihydrate, which is a crystal which has two water molecules attached to each oxalic acid molecule. The CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics gives the following properties for oxalic acid dihydrate: On heating: 1) The water of hydration leaves at 101.5 degrees C. The water boils off leaving anhydrous oxalic acid crystals. 2) At 157 degrees C the oxalic acid starts to sublime (goes directly from solid to gas) 3) At 189 degrees C the oxalic acid which has not yet sublimed decomposes to formic acid and carbon monoxide. Best regards Donald Aitken