It is not flammable, and the liquid is a poor conductor of electricity. Hydrogen chloride is also produced as a byproduct of the manufacture of chlorinated organic chemicals. Pure grades of hydrochloric acid are colorless, but technical grades, commonly called muriatic acid, are often yellow-colored because of impurities such as dissolved metals. The major use of hydrochloric acid is in the manufacture of other chemicals. Hydrochloric acid is also used in small amounts in processing glucose and other foods and for various other uses.
Concentrated solutions are strong acids and highly corrosive.
Hydrochloric acid is not an oxidizing agent but can be oxidized by very strong oxidizing agents, liberating chlorine gas. In dilute solutions of the acid the hydrogen chloride is almost completely dissociated into hydrogen and chloride ions . Hydrogen chloride also forms monohydrates, dihydrates, and trihydrates that are liquids at room temperature. Listing from Electric Library , a pay service. Copyright 2001 Infonautics Corporation .