Production of oxalic acid from jute sticks

A method has been described for the production of oxalic acid from the jute sticks of Corchorus capsularis late variety-1, (CVL-I), 0-9897, and BJC 71 8 by using 67% nitric acid and vanadium pentaoxide (0.1% on the weight of t he jute sticks). The optimum time and temperature of the process were 3h an d 58-62 degrees. The yields ranged between 31-35%, being comparable with th ose of the jute sticks of Indian origin, which were obtained by using 70% H NO3 and 94% HNO3 under the same conditions of time and temperature. The pre sent process appears significant for opening a new outlet for the utilisati on of jute sticks of CVL-I, 0-9897, and BJC 718.