How Do You Spell OXAMIC ACID?

1. Oxamic acid is an organic compound that belongs to the class of carboxylic acids. Its chemical formula is C2H3NO3, and its systematic name is ethanimidic acid. The molecule consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to a nitrogen atom, which also forms a single bond with a hydroxyl group (OH) and a double bond with another oxygen atom. This arrangement gives oxamic acid its characteristic structure.

   Oxamic acid is a white crystalline solid that is sparingly soluble in water. It can be obtained by the reaction between hydroxylamine and oxalic acid or its derivatives, and it is primarily used in various chemical and analytical applications. One of its notable uses is as a reagent in the determination of heavy metals, specifically for the precipitation of silver ions during the quantitative analysis of silver compounds.

   Furthermore, oxamic acid can act as a chelating agent due to its ability to form stable complexes with metal ions. This property makes it an important component in various processes involving separation, extraction, and purification of metals.

   In summary, oxamic acid is a carboxylic acid compound with a distinctive structure consisting of a carbonyl, hydroxyl, and oxamido functional group. It is utilized in chemical analyses and acts as a complexing agent, particularly valuable in the extraction and purification of metals.

2. A certain acid.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for OXAMIC ACID

The word "oxamic acid" is derived from the combination of two components: "oxam" and "ic acid".

The term "oxam" comes from the combination of the words "oxalyl" and "amide". "Oxalyl" is derived from "oxalic acid", which originates from the Greek word "ὀξαλίς" (oxalis) meaning "sorrel" due to its presence in plants like sorrel. "Amide" refers to the presence of the functional group -CONH2 in the compound.

The addition of "ic acid" at the end indicates that "oxam" is an acid and follows the naming convention for organic acids.

Thus, the combination of these two elements results in the name "oxamic acid".