Question

Oxalic acid is often used to remove rust stains. What properties of oxalic acid allow it to do this?

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If we add oxalic acid (H2\text{H}_2 C2\text{C}_2 O4\text{O}_4) to the rust (Fe2\text{Fe}_2 O3\text{O}_3), the following chemical reaction will happen.

Fe2O3(s)+6 H2C2O4(aq)2 [Fe(C2O4)3]3(aq)+3 H2O(l)+6 H+(aq)\begin{align*} \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 (s) + 6\ \text{H}_2\text{C}_2\text{O}_4 (aq) &\to 2\ \text{[Fe(C}_2\text{O}_4\text{)}_3\text{]}^{3-} (aq) + 3\ \text{H}_2\text{O} (l) + 6\ \text{H}^+ (aq)\\ \end{align*}

Rust will be turned into soluble complex anion called tris(oxalato)ferrate (III)\textbf{tris(oxalato)ferrate (III)} and it can be easily removed.

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