Calcium oxalate

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Calcium oxalate
Calcium oxalate
Names
IUPAC name
calcium ethanedioate
Identifiers
25454-23-3 (anhydrous) YesY
5794-28-5 (monohydrate) N
ChEBI CHEBI:60579 YesY
ChemSpider 30549 YesY
Jmol 3D model Interactive image
PubChem 16212978
  • InChI=1S/C2H2O4.Ca/c3-1(4)2(5)6;/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6);/q;+2/p-2 YesY
    Key: QXDMQSPYEZFLGF-UHFFFAOYSA-L YesY
  • InChI=1/C2H2O4.Ca/c3-1(4)2(5)6;/h(H,3,4)(H,5,6);/q;+2/p-2
    Key: QXDMQSPYEZFLGF-NUQVWONBAM
  • C(=O)(C(=O)[O-])[O-].[Ca+2]
Properties
CaC2O4
Molar mass 128.097 g/mol, anhydrous
146.112 g/mol, monohydrate
Appearance white solid
Density 2.12 g/cm3, anhydrous
2.12 g/cm3, monohydrate
Melting point 200 °C (392 °F; 473 K) decomposes (monohydrate)
6.7 mg/L (20 °C)
Related compounds
Other cations
 Beryllium oxalate
Magnesium oxalate
Strontium oxalate
Barium oxalate
Radium oxalate
Iron(II) oxalate
Iron(III) oxalate
Related compounds
 Oxalic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references
Scanning electron micrograph of the surface of a kidney stone showing tetragonal crystals of Weddellite (calcium oxalate dihydrate) emerging from the amorphous central part of the stone (the horizontal length of the picture represents 0.5 mm of the figured original)

Calcium oxalate (in archaic terminology, oxalate of lime) is a calcium salt of oxalic acid with the chemical formula CaC2O4. It is a chemical compound that forms envelope-shaped crystals, known in plants as raphides. A major constituent of human kidney stones, calcium oxalate is also found in beerstone, a scale that forms on containers used in breweries.

Occurrence

Calcium oxalate is a poisonous substance that can produce sores and numbing on ingestion and may even be fatal. Many plants accumulate calcium oxalate as it has been reported in more than 1000 different genera of plants.[1] The calcium oxalate accumulation is linked to the detoxification of calcium (Ca2+) in the plant.[2]

The poisonous plant dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) contains the substance and on ingestion can prevent speech and be suffocating. It is also found in rhubarb (in large quantities in the leaves) and in species of Oxalis, Araceae, taro, kiwifruit, tea leaves, agaves, Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and Alocasia and in spinach in varying amounts. Plants of the Philodendron genus contain enough calcium oxalate that consumption of parts of the plant can result in uncomfortable symptoms. Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals are found in plant stems, roots, and leaves and produced in idioblasts.

Calcium oxalate, as 'beerstone', is a brownish precipitate that tends to accumulate within vats, barrels and other containers used in the brewing of beer. If not completely removed in a cleaning process, beerstone will leave an unsanitary surface that can harbour microorganisms.[3] Beerstone is composed of calcium and magnesium salts and various organic compounds left over from the brewing process; it promotes the growth of unwanted microorganisms that can adversely affect or even ruin the flavour of a batch of beer.

Calcium oxalate crystals in the urine are the most common constituent of human kidney stones, and calcium oxalate crystal formation is also one of the toxic effects of ethylene glycol poisoning.

Hydrated forms of the compound occur naturally as three mineral species: whewellite (monohydrate, known from some coal beds), weddellite (dihydrate) and a very rare trihydrate called caoxite.

Medical significance

Morphology and diagnosis

Calcium oxalate exists in monohydrate and dihydrate forms, which can be distinguished by the shape of the respective crystals.

  • Calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals are octahedral. A large portion of the crystals in a urine sediment will have this type of morphology, as they can grow at any pH and naturally occur in normal urine.
  • Calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals vary in shape, and can be shaped like dumbbells, spindles, ovals, or picket fences, the last of which is most commonly seen due to ethylene glycol poisoning.[4] This latter form is what investigators discovered in the kidneys of two victims that ultimately led to the successful prosecution and conviction of murderer Lynn Turner, who poisoned both her husband and boyfriend with ethylene glycol-based antifreeze.[5]

  • Urine microscopy showing calcium oxalate crystals in the urine. The octahedral crystal morphology is clearly visible.

  • Calcium oxalate crystals (urine) - kalsiyum oksalat kristalleri (idrar) - 01.png

    Urine microscopy showing a calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal (dumbbell shaped) and a calcium oxalate dihydrate crystal (envelope shaped) along with several erythrocytes.

  • Calcium oxalate crystals (urine) - kalsiyum oksalat kristalleri (idrar) - 02.png

    Urine microscopy showing several calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals (dumbbell shaped, some of them clumped) and a calcium oxalate dihydrate crystal (envelope shaped) along with several erythrocytes.

Kidney stones

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Main article: Kidney stone § Diagnosis

About 80% of kidney stones are partially or entirely of the calcium oxalate type. They form when urine has been persistently acidic. Some of the oxalate in urine is produced by the body. Calcium and oxalate in the diet play a part, but are not the only factors that affect the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Dietary oxalate is an organic ion found in many vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Calcium from bone may also play a role in kidney stone formation.

Effects of ingestion

Even a small dose of calcium oxalate is enough to cause intense sensations of burning in the mouth and throat, swelling, and choking that could last for up to two weeks.[6] In greater doses it can cause severe digestive upset, breathing difficulties, coma or even death. Recovery from severe oxalate poisoning is possible, although permanent liver and kidney damage might have occurred by this time.

The stalks of plants in the Dieffenbachia genus produce the most severe oxalate reactions. The needle-like oxalate crystals produce pain and swelling when they contact lips, tongue, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, or skin. Edema primarily is due to direct trauma from the needle-like crystals and, to a lesser extent, by other plant toxins (e.g., bradykinins, enzymes).

Depending on the plant ingested, mild (Elephant Ear Colocasia esculenta) to more severe (Jack in the Pulpit, Arisaema) can cause compromised airways. One bite on the Arisaema seed pod will result in immediate swelling and burning. It takes over 12 hours for the swelling to subside.[citation needed]

Treatment
Medication administered at the emergency room may include diphenhydramine, epinephrine, or famotidine, all intravenously.[7]

Industrial applications

Calcium oxalate is used in the manufacture of ceramic glazes.[8]

References

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  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Outbreak of Food-borne Illness Associated with Plant Material Containing Raphides. Informa Healthcare.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

See also

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