Formic acid, as its name implies, falls into the category of carboxylic acids and has very weak acidic properties, and is also known as methanoic acid, hydrogen carboxylic acid, and ant ink. Today, this acid is widely used in the textile, food, and animal industries. Formic acid is available in both liquid and solid forms. Shanghai Chemex is one of the most reputable suppliers of this chemical in the world.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Formic Acid:
Formic acid or methanoic acid is the simplest available carboxylic acid and is a colorless, corrosive, volatile liquid with a pungent odor. This acid dissolves in water and in benzene, toluene, and xylenes and can be partially combined with hydrocarbons. It is relatively stable at room temperature but unstable to heat; The most important physical and chemical properties of this compound can be summarized in the following table:
| Chemical formula | CH2O2 |
| Molecular Weight (g/mol) | 46.025 |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Density (g/cm3) | 1.220 |
| odor | Pungent, penetrating |
| taste | sour |
| Melting Point (° C) | 8.4 |
| Boiling point (° C) | 100.8 |
| Solubility | Miscible with ether, acetone, ethyl acetate, glycerol, methanol, ethanol
Partially soluble in benzene, toluene, xylenes |
| Chemical Structure Depiction | 
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What is the Structural Formula of Formic Acid:
The chemical structure of formic acid with the chemical formula HCOOH is such that a hydrogen atom is attached to a carboxylic group. Just like the chemical structure of acetic acid, except that instead of hydrogen, a methyl group is attached to the carboxylic acid. This acid; In the liquid and solid-state, it has an infinite lattice of molecules that are bonded together by hydrogen bonding.
Formic acid Production Process:
The production of formic acid by chemical reactions is not a difficult task, it is enough to expose methanol and carbon monoxide to a strong base such as sodium monoxide to have a chemical reaction together, and when the temperature of this reaction reaches 40 ° C from the methyl formate obtained by hydrolysis, formic acid will be produced.
CH3OH + CO → HCO2CH3
But natural formic acid will be produced in the leaves of nettle, bee stings, and ants.
Formic Acid Uses:
- As an antiseptic and antibacterial agent in livestock and poultry feed
- In the leather industry and tanning
- In the synthesis of drugs such as insulin and caffeine
- In dyeing and finishing textiles
- As a coagulant in rubber production
- To produce synthetic perfumes
- As a mobile phase in high-performance HPLC liquid chromatography
Why is Formic Acid used in Animal Feed?
Formic acid is also used in animal feed as an antibacterial to prevent spoilage, which helps preserve food to a high degree. This substance is used to prevent spoilage of winter food in livestock in large livestock complexes. Like Calcium propionate
Why is Formic Acid used in Leather Production?
The second most widely used formic acid industry is the tanning and leather industries. In the process of leather production, the environment is strongly played, which is very unsuitable for leather production, so to reduce the pH of leather, sulfuric acid, and formic acid are added. Formic acid lowers the pH of the leather and penetrates homogeneously into the leather. If this is not done, many unwanted substances such as chromium sulfate will seep into the leather. Also in leather dyeing, this method helps to transfer the color to all parts of the leather.
Buy Formic Acid:
Formic acid with the molecular formula (HCO2H), also called methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid that is widely used in the production of animal feed and in the processing of textiles and leather. For information on the price and purchase of this product, contact our experts in Shanghai Chemex.
Safety Information:
Formic acid is dangerous through inhalation, skin contact, or swallowing and can cause corrosion to all tissues in the body. Therefore, observing the safety of working with this material is very important.
First-aid measures:
- Skin Contact: Immediately flush skin with water.
- Inhalation: move the person to the fresh air.
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15-20 minutes.
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Get medical aid immediately. Call a poison control center.
Handling and Storage:
Formic acid is a strong reducing agent and is likely to react against strong oxidizing agents or strong bases. This compound is sensitive to heat and moisture and is likely to decompose in the presence of water and carbon dioxide, releasing irritating gases and flammable vapors. Therefore, this product should be stored in a strong container in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place away from heat or ignition sources.
linda –
What neutralizes formic acid?
china chemicals –
Baking soda (NaHCO3) is commonly used to neutralize acids, including formic acid. If you were to spill some formic acid solution on your skin or on the floor, you would want to neutralize it with a thick paste of sodium bicarbonate in water.
radan –
How much formic acid is toxic?
china chemicals –
The threshold value for exposure to formic acid in the air is 5 ppm or 9 mg / m3