When aqueous solution of borax is acidified with hydrochloric acid, a white crystalline solid is formed which is soapy to touch, is this solid acidic or basic in nature? Explain.

When aqueous solution of borax is acidified with hydrochloric acid, a

1.	When aqueous solution of borax is acidified with hydrochloric acid, a white crystalline solid is formed which is soapy to touch, is this solid acidic or basic in nature? Explain.
Answer» Solution :When an aqueous solution of borax is acidified with HCL boric acid is formed `Na_(2)B_(4)O_(7)+2HCl+5H_(2)Orarr2NaCl+underset("Boric acid")(4H_(3)BO_(3))` Boric acid is a white crystalline solid. It is soapy to touch because of its planar layered structure. Boric acid is a weak monobasic acid. It is not a protonic acid but ACTS as a Lewis acid by accepting electrons from a hydroxyl ion `B(OH)_(3)+2HOHrarr[B(OH)_(4)]^(-)+H_(3)O^(+)`.