What are boric acids?
Boric acid a weakly acid crystalline compound derived from borax used as a mild antiseptic and in the manufacture of heat-resistant glass and enamels. several boric acids are known, all derived from boron trioxide with varying amount of water. For example,
Orthoboric acid H3BO3 or B2O3 . 3H2O
Metaboric acid HBO2 or B2O3 . H2O
Pyroboric acid H6B4O9 or 2B2O3 . 3H2O
Tetraboric acid H2B4O7 or 2B2O3 . H2O
of these, orthoboric acid is important.