1-benzothiophene-2-carboxylic acid

Borax is an important compound of boron and is also a common borate. Its main uses are various. From the perspective of "Tiangong Kaiwu", it can be described as follows:
First, in the field of metallurgy, borax is quite effective. In metal smelting, borax can be used as a flux. Because borax has a low melting point, it is easy to melt into a glassy substance when heated. This glassy substance can combine with oxides on the metal surface to form fusible salts, which can then remove impurities on the metal surface and improve the purity of the metal. For example, in the smelting of copper, iron and other metals, adding an appropriate amount of borax can reduce the smelting temperature, improve the quality and performance of the metal, and make the smelting process smoother. As "Tiangong Kaiwu" states, many smelting techniques focus on the use of various material characteristics to achieve better results.
Second, in the ceramic and glass manufacturing industry, borax also plays a key role. Adding borax to ceramic glazes can change the melting temperature and viscosity of the glaze, making the glaze smoother and brighter, enhancing the decorative and corrosion resistance of ceramics. In glass production, borax can improve the thermal and chemical stability of the glass, making it more resistant to temperature changes and chemical erosion. For example, when manufacturing heat-resistant glass, the addition of borax makes the glass less prone to cracking under high temperatures, which is in line with the concept of pursuing quality improvement in ceramics, glass and other production processes in Tiangong Kaiwu.
Third, in the traditional welding process, borax is also indispensable. During welding, borax can prevent the re-oxidation of the metal surface and ensure that the metal at the welding site can be well integrated. The principle is also to use borax to melt and cover the metal surface to isolate air and avoid metal oxidation, so as to ensure the quality of welding. This is consistent with the attention to detail in various processes involved in Tiangong Kaiwu to ensure the quality of the finished product.

Borax is a common mineral with various physical properties. The appearance of borax is mostly colorless and translucent crystals, or white powder, both of which have a glassy luster and shine when viewed under light. Its texture is relatively soft, with a Mohs hardness of about 2-2.5. It can be scratched with a fingernail, leaving traces.
The density of borax is also specific, about 1.69-1.72g/cm ³, and it feels slightly sinking. Its solubility also has characteristics. It is easily soluble in water, and it is better dissolved in hot water, but it is difficult to dissolve in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. This property allows borax to quickly disperse in water to form a uniform solution.
Furthermore, borax has a certain melting point, about 741 ° C. When the temperature reaches this, borax will gradually melt from solid to liquid, and the phase state will change. And borax is deliquescent, and in humid air, it is easy to absorb water, causing it to gradually become moist.
The crystal structure of borax is also quite unique. Its crystal is often columnar or plate-shaped, and the crystal surface is often longitudinal, which is the embodiment of its microstructure in macroscopic view. Borax is used in many fields, such as chemical industry, medicine, metallurgy, etc. In the chemical industry, it is often used as a raw material to prepare other boron-containing compounds; in the pharmaceutical field, it may have disinfection and anti-corrosion effects; in the metallurgical field, it can be used as a flux to reduce the melting point of metals and improve smelting efficiency. All of these rely on the unique physical properties of borax.

Boron is a rare substance, and compared with gallium, it has similarities and differences in properties. Boron is hard and brittle, stable at room temperature, but active at high temperature, and can combine with many elements.
Boron has significant non-metallic properties and can form covalent bonds. Its oxides are acidic and can react with bases to form borates. Boron can combine with oxygen at high temperatures to form diboron trioxide, which has a high melting point and is often used as a refractory material. Boron can also react with halogens to form boron halides, which are mostly volatile compounds.
Boric acid is an important compound of boron, which is white crystalline and weakly acidic. It is partially ionized in water, and its acidity is due to the attraction of hydroxide ions to the empty orbit of boron atoms. Boric acid can lose water when heated, and gradually convert into metaboric acid and tetraboric acid, and finally produce boron trioxide.
Boric acid has the effect of disinfection and preservative, and is often used as a disinfectant in the field of medicine. In the glass industry, boric acid can improve the thermal and chemical stability of glass, making it more resistant to temperature changes and chemical attack. In agriculture, boron is an essential trace element for plant growth. An appropriate amount of boron fertilizer can promote plant reproductive growth, improve fruit setting rate and fruit quality.
Gallium also has unique chemical properties. Its melting point is extremely low, slightly higher than room temperature, while its boiling point is extremely high, and the liquid temperature range is wide. Gallium is amphoteric and can react with both acids and bases. Gallium reacts with acids to form gallium salts and hydrogen, and reacts with bases to form gallium salts and hydrogen.
Gallium compounds are widely used. Gallium nitride is an important semiconductor material, which is indispensable in the field of optoelectronics, such as Light Emitting Diode and laser diode manufacturing, and also has excellent performance in high-frequency and high-power electronic devices. Gallium chloride is often used as a catalyst for organic synthesis, which can promote the progress of many organic reactions.

Mercury is a highly toxic substance, and the art of alchemy has been scientifically proven, and many are improper, so only the method of carboxylic acid synthesis is described here.
The synthesis of carboxylic acids is a variety of methods, each with its own advantages. First, it can be oxidized by hydrocarbons. Such as alkanes, olefins, aromatics, etc., under suitable conditions, after oxidation, it can be converted into carboxylic acids. Taking aromatics as an example, aromatics with alpha-hydrogen in the side chain can be oxidized to carboxylic groups under the action of strong oxidants such as potassium permanganate and potassium dichromate. In this process, factors such as oxidant force, reaction temperature, pH, etc. all have a great impact on the success or failure of the reaction and the yield.
Second, the oxidation of alcohol and aldehyde is also a common method for synthesizing carboxylic acids. Alcohol is oxidized to form aldehyde first, and aldehyde is further oxidized to form carboxylic acid. Commonly used oxidizing agents include oxygen, chromic acid, Jones reagent, etc. Taking ethanol as an example, under the condition of copper or silver as a catalyst and heating, it reacts with oxygen to form acetaldehyde, and acetaldehyde is oxidized to obtain acetic acid. The reaction conditions of this route are relatively mild, and the raw materials are alcohols, which are widely sourced and widely used.
Third, the hydrolysis of nitriles cannot be ignored. Nitriles react with water under the catalysis of acids or bases to form carboxylic acids. The key to this reaction lies in the choice of catalysts and the control of reaction time. When acid catalyzed, the reaction is more violent and needs to be handled with caution; when alkali catalyzed, although the reaction is relatively mild, the post-treatment process may be more complicated.
Fourth, the Grignard reagent method is unique. Grignard reagent reacts with carbon dioxide to form carboxylic acid, and then acidified to obtain carboxylic acid. This method can introduce groups of specific structures, which are widely used in organic synthesis. However, Grignard reagents require harsh reaction conditions and require an anhydrous and oxygen-free environment. Special attention is required during operation.

Borax has a wide range of uses and is involved in various fields.
In the field of medicine, borax has the ability to clear away heat and detoxify. Ancient physicians often used borax as medicine to treat throat swelling and pain. In case of laryngeal paralysis, take borax powder and blow it on the affected area to slow down the pain of swelling and pain. When the mouth is sore, borax is combined with other medicines to make a gargle, which can clear away heat and reduce sores and make the sore heal quickly. And borax taken internally has the effect of reducing phlegm, which is also beneficial for phlegm and hot coughs.
In the industrial world, borax is also widely used. In glass manufacturing, adding borax can increase the thermal stability and transparency of the glass. Make glass products withstand temperature changes, are not easy to break, and have better luster. In ceramic production, borax can be used as a flux to reduce the melting point of ceramic bodies, making the firing process easier to control, while improving the texture and color of ceramics, making the finished product more beautiful.
In alchemy, borax also has its uses. Alchemists use borax to participate in refining medicinal pills, helping to adjust the temperature and chemical reactions. Or make the texture and efficacy of medicinal pills reach the desired state. Although the method of alchemy involves many mysteries, the role of borax in this process should not be underestimated.
In daily life, borax also has traces. In the past, in some food processing, borax was occasionally used to increase the toughness and shelf life of food, but now it is known that it is harmful to the human body and has been strictly prohibited. In washing products, borax can increase the power of decontamination, and the effect of removing oil stains is quite good.
Borax has played a role in medicine, industry, alchemy and many other fields, but now it should be used in accordance with scientific methods to avoid its harm and promote its benefits.