Chemistry

• Boric acid is a white, crystalline solid of chemical formula H₃BO₃, which is sometimes written B(OH)₃. It is only sparingly soluble in water. It melts at 170 degrees Celsius, at which temperature it will decompose into water and metaboric acid (HBO₂).
  
  

Production

• Boric acid is manufactured by the combination of borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate, Na₂B₄O₇--10H₂O) with muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid, HCl).
  
  

Applications

• Boric acid is commonly found in insecticides. It purportedly works through an unusual mode of action by penetrating the exoskeleton and killing insects by dehydration, although the exact mechanism is not well understood.
  
  

Toxicity

• The acute toxicity of boric acid is reportedly about the same as that of sodium chloride (table salt). In large doses, however, it is known to cause sterility in male test animals.
  
  

Fun Fact

• In 1943, the original Silly Putty was synthesized from boric acid and silicone oil.