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Question:

The correct statement(s) for orthoboric acid is/are:
It behaves as a weak acid in water due to self ionization.
It is a weak electrolyte in water.
Acidity of its aqueous solution increases upon addition of ethylene glycol.
It has a three dimensional structure due to hydrogen bonding.

Acidity of its aqueous solution increases upon addition of ethylene glycol.

It has a three dimensional structure due to hydrogen bonding.

It behaves as a weak acid in water due to self ionization.

It is a weak electrolyte in water.

Solution:

(A) It does not undergo self ionisation in water but accepts an electron pair from water, so it behaves as weak monobasic acid. Hence, (A) is incorrect.
H₃BO₃ + H⁻OH ⇌ B(OH)₄⁻ + H⁺ (i)
(B) When treated with 1, 2-dihydroxy or polyhydroxy compounds, they form chelate (ring complex) which effectively removes [B(OH)₄⁻] species from solution and thereby produce a maximum number of H₃O⁺ or H⁺ ions, i.e. results in increased acidity
(C) Boric acid crystallises in a layer structure in which planar triangular BO₃³⁻ ions are bonded together through hydrogen bonds
(D) H₃BO₃ is a weak electrolyte in water as in water the pKa value of H₃BO₃ is 9.25.