Borax
IUPAC name	Sodium tetraborate decahydrate
Identifiers
CAS number	[1330-43-4]
Properties
Molecular formula	Na2B4O7·10H2O or Na2[B4O5(OH)4]·8H2O
Molar mass	381. IUPAC Nomenclature is a system of naming Chemical compounds and of describing the science of Chemistry in general CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for Chemical compounds Polymers biological sequences mixtures and Alloys They are also referred to A chemical formula is a way of expressing information about the Atoms that constitute a particular Chemical compound, and how the relationship between those atoms changes Molar mass, symbol M, is the Mass of one mole of a substance ( Chemical element or Chemical compound) 37
Appearance	white solid
Density	1. The density of a material is defined as its Mass per unit Volume: \rho = \frac{m}{V} Different materials usually have different 73 g/cm³ (solid)
Melting point	741 °C
Boiling point	1575 °C
Basicity (pKb)	see text
Hazards
EU classification	not listed
NFPA 704	0 1 0
Flash point	Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions	Sodium aluminate; sodium gallate
Other cations	Potassium tetraborate
Related compounds	Boric acid, sodium perborate
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Borax (from Persian burah), also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. The melting point of a solid is the temperature range at which it changes state from solid to Liquid. The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which the Vapor pressure of the liquid equals the environmental pressure surrounding the liquid Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification packaging and labelling Symbolism The four divisions are typically color-coded with blue indicating level of Health Hazard, red indicating The flash point of a flammable liquid is the lowest Temperature at which it can form an ignitable mixture in air An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge Sodium aluminate is an important commercial Inorganic chemical An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid or Acidum Boricum, is a mild Acid often used as an Antiseptic, Insecticide Sodium perborate ( PBS) is a white odorless water-soluble Chemical compound with Chemical formula 3 In Chemistry, the standard state of a material is its state at 1 bar (100 Kilopascals exactly Death Valley is the lowest driest and hottest Valley in the United States. Boron (ˈbɔərɒn is a Chemical element with Atomic number 5 and the chemical symbol B. A mineral is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition a highly ordered atomic structure and specific A salt, in Chemistry, is defined as the product formed from the neutralisation reaction of Acids and bases. Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid or Acidum Boricum, is a mild Acid often used as an Antiseptic, Insecticide It is usually a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.

Borax has a wide variety of uses. It is a component of many detergents, cosmetics, and enamel glazes. A detergent (as a noun is a material intended to assist Cleaning. In a discussion of Material science, enamel (or vitreous enamel or porcelain enamel in U It is also used to make buffer solutions in biochemistry, as a fire retardant, as an anti-fungal compound for fiberglass, as an insecticide, as a flux in metallurgy, and as a precursor for other boron compounds. For an individual weak acid or weak base component see Buffering agent. Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes in living Organisms It deals with the Structure and function of cellular components such as A fire retardant is a substance that helps to delay or prevent Combustion. An antifungal drug is Medication used to treat fungal Infections such as Athlete's foot, Ringworm, Candidiasis (thrush Fiberglass (also called fibreglass and glass fibre see Spelling differences) is material made from extremely fine Fibers of Glass. An insecticide is a Pesticide used against Insects in all developmental forms In Metallurgy, a flux is a chemical cleaning agent which facilitates Soldering, Brazing, and Welding by removing Oxidation from Metallurgy is a domain of Materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their

The term borax is used for a number of closely related minerals or chemical compounds that differ in their crystal water content, but usually refers to the decahydrate. Water of crystallization (alt BrE water of crystallisation is Water that occurs in Crystals but is not covalently bonded to a host Molecule Commercially sold borax is usually partially dehydrated.

Contents 1 Name 2 Uses 2.1 Buffer 2.2 Co-complexing 2.3 Flux 2.4 Putty 2.5 Food additive 2.6 Other uses 3 Natural sources 4 Toxicity 5 Chemistry 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

Name

The origin of the name is traceable to the Medieval Latin borat, which comes from the Arabic buraq, which comes from either the Persian burah or the Middle Persian burak. ^[1][2]

Uses

Buffer

Sodium borate is used in biochemical and chemical laboratories to make SB buffers, e. Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes in living Organisms It deals with the Structure and function of cellular components such as Chemistry (from Egyptian kēme (chem meaning "earth") is the Science concerned with the composition structure and properties SB buffer is a Buffer solution used in agarose and polyacrylamide gel Electrophoresis for the separation of Nucleic acids such as DNA g. for gel electrophoresis of DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) is a Nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known It has a lower conductivity, produces sharper bands, and can be run at higher speeds than can gels made from TBE buffer or TAE buffer (5–35 V/cm as compared to 5–10 V/cm). TBE or Tris/Borate/EDTA, is a Buffer solution containing a mixture of Tris base, Boric acid and EDTA. TAE buffer is a Buffer solution used in agarose Electrophoresis, typically for the separation of Nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA The volt (symbol V) is the SI derived unit of electric Potential difference or Electromotive force. At a given voltage, the heat generation and thus the gel temperature is much lower than with TBE or TAE buffers, therefore the voltage can be increased to speed up electrophoresis so that a gel run takes only a fraction of the usual time. Downstream applications, such as isolation of DNA from a gel slice or southern blot analysis, work as expected with sodium borate gels. A Southern blot is a method routinely used in Molecular biology to check for the presence of a DNA sequence in a DNA sample Borate buffers (usually at pH 8) are also used as preferential equilibration solution in DMP-based crosslinking reactions.

Lithium borate is similar to sodium borate and has all of its advantages, but permits use of even higher voltages due to the lower conductivity of lithium ions as compared to sodium ions. Lithium borate ( Li2[[Boron B4]] O7) is the Lithium Salt of Boric acid. ^[3] However, lithium borate is much more expensive.

Co-complexing

Borax as a source of borate has been used to take advantage of the co-complexing ability of borate with other agents in water to complex various substances. Borate and a suitable polymer bed are used to chromatograph non-glycosylated hemoglobin differentially from non-enzymatically glycosylated hemoglobin (chiefly HbA1c), which is a model for long term damage done by hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus. A polymer is a large Molecule ( Macromolecule) composed of repeating Structural units typically connected by Covalent Chemical bonds Chromatography (from Greek χρώμα chroma, color and γραφειν"graphein" to write is the collective term for a family of Laboratory Glycosylation is the enzymatic process that links Saccharides to produce glycans, either free or attached to Proteins and Lipids This enzymatic Hemoglobin ( also spelled haemoglobin and abbreviated Hb or Hgb) is the Iron -containing Oxygen -transport Metalloprotein Glycosylated (or glycated hemoglobin ( hemoglobin A1c Hb1c, or HbA1c) is a form of Hemoglobin used primarily to identify the average Hyperglycemia, hyperglycaemia, or high blood sugar is a condition in which an excessive amount of Glucose circulates in the Blood plasma Diabetes mellitus (ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz or /ˌdaɪəˈbiːtəs/ /məˈlaɪtəs/ or /ˈmɛlətəs/ often referred to simply as diabetes ( Ancient Greek: grc Borate and a proprietary synthetic amino acid, Deselex (from Henkel) have been used to complex water "hardness" cations to make a non-precipitating water "softener". In Chemistry, an amino acid is a Molecule containing both Amine and Carboxyl Functional groups In Biochemistry, this Henkel AG & Co KGaA () is an international company headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. Borate alone does not have a high affinity for "hardness" cations, although it has been used for that purpose.

Flux

A mixture of borax and ammonium chloride is used as a flux when welding iron and steel. Ammonium chloride ( N[[Hydrogen H]]4 Cl) (also Sal Ammoniac, salmiac, nushadir salt, zalmiak, sal armagnac In Metallurgy, a flux is a chemical cleaning agent which facilitates Soldering, Brazing, and Welding by removing Oxidation from Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials usually Metals or Thermoplastics by causing coalescence. Iron (ˈаɪɚn is a Chemical element with the symbol Fe (ferrum and Atomic number 26 Steel is an Alloy consisting mostly of Iron, with a Carbon content between 0 It lowers the melting point of the unwanted iron oxide (scale), allowing it to run off. Altogether there are sixteen known Iron Oxides and oxyhydroxides Borax is also used mixed with water as a flux when soldering jewelry metals such as gold or silver. Soldering is a process in which two or more Metal items are joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal into the joint the filler metal having a relatively low Jewellery (also spelled jewelry, see spelling differences) is a personal Ornament, such as a necklace ring or bracelet made from Gemstones The M acro E xpansion T emplate A ttribute L anguage complements TAL, providing macros which allow the reuse of code across Gold (ˈɡoʊld is a Chemical element with the symbol Au (from its Latin name aurum) and Atomic number 79 Silver (ˈsɪlvɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol " Ag " (argentum from the Ancient Greek: ἀργήντος - argēntos gen It allows the molten solder to flow evenly over the joint in question. A solder is a fusible metal Alloy with a melting point or melting range of 90 to 450 ° C (200 to 840 ° F) used in a process called Borax is also a good flux for 'pre-tinning' tungsten with zinc - making the tungsten soft-solderable. ^[4]

Putty

When a borax-water solution is mixed with PVA glue (wood glue) a rubbery precipitate is formed, which is the result of cross-linking in the polymer. Polyvinyl acetate ( PVA or PVAc) is a Rubbery Synthetic polymer. Cross-links are bonds that link one Polymer chain to another They can be Covalent bonds or Ionic bonds "Polymer chains" can refer A polymer is a large Molecule ( Macromolecule) composed of repeating Structural units typically connected by Covalent Chemical bonds

Food additive

Borax is used as a food additive in some countries with the E number E285, but is banned in the United States. Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavour or improve its taste and appearance E numbers are number codes for Food additives and are usually found on Food labels throughout the European Union. Its use is similar to common table salt, and it appears in French and Iranian caviar. Caviar is the processed, Salted Roe of certain species of Fish, most notably the Sturgeon ( black caviar) and the

Other uses

• Component of detergents
• Ingredient in enamel glazes
• Component of glass, pottery, and ceramics
• Fire retardant
• Anti-fungal compound for fibreglass and cellulose insulation
• Insecticide to kill ants and fleas
• Precursor for sodium perborate monohydrate that is used in detergents, as well as for boric acid and other borates
• Treatment for thrush in horses' hooves
• Used to make indelible ink for dip pens by dissolving shellac into heated borax
• Curing agent for snake skins

Natural sources

Borax occurs naturally in evaporite deposits produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes (see playa). A detergent (as a noun is a material intended to assist Cleaning. In a discussion of Material science, enamel (or vitreous enamel or porcelain enamel in U Glass in the common sense refers to a Hard, Brittle, transparent Solid, such as that used for Windows many Pottery is the Ceramic ware made by potters It also refers to a group of materials that includes Earthenware, Stoneware The word ceramic is derived from the Greek word κεραμικός ( keramikos) A fire retardant is a substance that helps to delay or prevent Combustion. An antifungal drug is Medication used to treat fungal Infections such as Athlete's foot, Ringworm, Candidiasis (thrush Fiberglass (also called fibreglass and glass fibre see Spelling differences) is material made from extremely fine Fibers of Glass. Cellulose is an Organic compound with the formula, a Polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β(1→4 An insecticide is a Pesticide used against Insects in all developmental forms Ants are social Insects of the family Formicidae and along with the related families of Wasps and Bees belong to the order Flea is the Common name for any of the small wingless Insects of the order Siphonaptera (some authorities use the name Aphaniptera Sodium perborate ( PBS) is a white odorless water-soluble Chemical compound with Chemical formula 3 A detergent (as a noun is a material intended to assist Cleaning. Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid or Acidum Boricum, is a mild Acid often used as an Antiseptic, Insecticide Borates in Chemistry are Chemical compounds containing Boron bonded to three Oxygen atoms written as B(OR3 Thrush is a very common bacterial infection that occurs on the hoof of a Horse, specifically in the region of the frog. The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae. A horse hoof is a structure surrounding the distal phalanx of the 3rd digit (digit III of the basic Pentadactyl limb of Vertebrates evolved into a single A dip pen (also sometimes called a " Nib pen" usually consists of a metal nib with capillary channels like those of Fountain pen Shellac is the commercial resin marketed in the form of amber flakes made from Lac, the secretion of the family of lac-producing insects though most commonly from the Evaporites (iˈvæpəraɪt are water-soluble Mineral sediments that result from the Evaporation of bodies of surficial Water. The most commercially important deposits are found in Turkey and near Boron, California and other locations in the Southwestern United States, the Atacama desert in Chile, and in Tibet. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Boron is a Census-designated place (CDP in Kern County, California, United States. The Southwestern area of the United States could be defined as the states west of the Mississippi River, with the qualification of a certain northern limit such as the 37 Atacama redirects here for the political-administrative region of Chile, see Atacama Region. Chile, officially the Republic of Chile ( Spanish:) is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow Coastal strip wedged between the Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European Borax can also be produced synthetically from other boron compounds.

Toxicity

Borax, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is not acutely toxic. ^[5] Its LD50 score is tested at 2,660 mg/kg in rats. ^[6] This does not mean that it is safe, merely that a significant dose of the chemical is needed to cause severe symptoms or death. Simple exposure can cause respiratory and skin irritation. Ingestion may casue gastrointestinal distress including nausea, persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Effects on the vascular system and brain include headaches and lethargy, but are less frequent. "In severe poisonings, a beefy red skin rash affecting palms, soles, buttocks and scrotum has been described. With severe poisoning, erythematous and exfoliative rash, unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and renal failure. " ^[7]

A reassessment of boric acid/borax by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs found potential developmental toxicity (especially effects on the testes). ^[8] Boric acid solutions used as an eye wash or on abraded skin are known to be especially toxic to infants, especially after repeated use because of its slow elimination rate. ^[9]

Chemistry

The term borax is often used for a number of closely related minerals or chemical compounds that differ in their crystal water content:

• Anhydrous borax (Na₂B₄O₇)
• Borax pentahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·5H₂O)
• Borax decahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O)

Borax is generally described as Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O. Water of crystallization (alt BrE water of crystallisation is Water that occurs in Crystals but is not covalently bonded to a host Molecule However, it is better formulated as Na₂[B₄O₅(OH)₄]·8H₂O, since borax contains the [B₄O₅(OH)₄]²⁻ ion. In this structure, there are two four-coordinate boron atoms (two BO₄ tetrahedra) and two three-coordinate boron atoms (two BO₃ triangles).

Borax is also easily converted to boric acid and other borates, which have many applications. Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid or Acidum Boricum, is a mild Acid often used as an Antiseptic, Insecticide Borates in Chemistry are Chemical compounds containing Boron bonded to three Oxygen atoms written as B(OR3 If left exposed to dry air, it slowly loses its water of hydration and becomes the white and chalky mineral tincalconite (Na₂B₄O₇·5H₂O). Hydrate is a term used in Inorganic chemistry and Organic chemistry to indicate that a substance contains Water. A mineral is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition a highly ordered atomic structure and specific Tincalconite is a hydrous Sodium Borate Mineral closely related to Borax, and is a secondary mineral that forms as a dehydration product of borax

When borax is added to a flame, it produces a bright orange color. This property has been tried in amateur fireworks, but borax in this use is not popular because its waters of hydration inhibit combustion of compositions and make it an inferior source of the sodium which is responsible for most of its flame color, and which overwhelms the green contributed to the flame by boron.

However, commercially available borax can be mixed with flammables such as methanol to give the characteristic green flame of boron when ignited, which then slowly gives way to the characteristic yellow-orange flame of the sodium.

See also

• Buffer solution
• Borax bead test
• Sodium borohydride
• Ulexite
• Twenty-Mule-Team Borax
• Francis Marion Smith
• John Veatch

References

External links

• International Chemical Safety Card 0567
• International Chemical Safety Card 1229 (fused borax)
• National Pollutant Inventory - Boron and compounds
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• Sodium Borate in sefsc.noaa.gov

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