Formic Acid
HS Code: 29151100
Formula: HCOOH or HCO2H
Other Names: Carbonous acid, Formylic acid, Hydrogen carboxylic acid, Hydroxy(oxo)methane, Metacarbonoic acid, Oxocarbinic acid, Oxomethanol
Description
Formic acid, systematically named methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid. The chemical formula is HCOOH or HCO2H. It is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in some ants. The word "formic" comes from the Latin word for ant, formica, referring to its early isolation by the distillation of ant bodies. Esters, salts, and the anion derived from formic acid are called formates. Industrially formic acid is produced from methanol.
Properties
- Formic acid is a colorless liquid having a pungent, penetrating odor at room temperature, not unlike the related acetic acid.
- It is miscible with water and most polar organic solvents, and is somewhat soluble in hydrocarbons.
- In hydrocarbons and in the vapor phase, it consists of hydrogen-bonded dimers rather than individual molecules.
- Owing to its tendency to hydrogen-bond, gaseous formic acid does not obey the ideal gas law.
- Solid formic acid (two polymorphs) consists of an effectively endless network of hydrogen-bonded formic acid molecules. This relatively complicated compound also forms a low-boiling azeotrope with water (22.4%) and liquid formic acid also tends to supercool.
Uses
- A major use of formic acid is as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed.
- Formic acid arrests certain decay processes and causes the feed to retain its nutritive value longer, and so it is widely used to preserve winter feed for cattle.
- Formic acid is also significantly used in the production of leather, including tanning, and in dyeing and finishing textile because of its acidic nature.
- Formic acid is also used in place of mineral acids for various cleaning products, such as limescale remover and toilet bowl cleaner. Some formate esters are artificial flavorings or perfumes.
Available in 30/ 50 Kgs Can
