Question

What is the 'n' factor of boric acid?

Answer 1

n-factor:

• The n-factor of salts is defined as the number of moles of electrons lost/gained by $1$ mole of the salt.
• For acids, the n-factor is described as the number of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ ions substituted by $1$ mole of acid in a reaction.

'n' factor of boric acid:

• Boric acid is a monobasic Lewis acid with a chemical formula ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{BO}}_3$.
• For boric acid, consider the following reaction.

${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{BO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\rightleftharpoons \mathrm{B}{{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_4}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

• All hydrogen in ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{BO}}_3$ are not replaceable.
• In boric acid, the number of replaceable hydrogen is $1$.
• Thus, the 'n' factor of boric acid is $1$.