Formic Acid Formula: Structure, Properties, Uses, Tests

Formic Acid Formula is also referred to as Formylic acid or Methanoic acid. Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid, containing a single carboxylic acid group (COOH) attached to a hydrogen atom. The Formic Acid Formula is HCOOH or HCO ₂ H.

Formic Acid Formula

Formic Acid Formula Structure

Properties Of Formic Acid (Methanoic Acid)

• HCOOH is the chemical formula for formic acid. This acid is also called methanoic acid, formylic acid, and aminic acid.
• Formic acid has a molecular weight of 46.025 grams per mole.
• Formic acid has a density of 1.220 grams per liter.
• It has a melting point of 8.4°C and a boiling point of 100.8°C.
• There is one covalently bonded unit and two hydrogen bonds, an acceptor.
• In addition to being miscible in water, formic acid is miscible in acetone, ether, methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. However, formic acid is partially soluble in benzene, toluene, and xylene. Insects, bees, and ants naturally produce formic acid.
• Despite not being used as a solvent, it is a protic solvent with a high acidity.
• As well as being corrosive and skin sensitizers, formic acid is sometimes mildly irritating to the eyes.
• In reaction with phosphoric pentachloride, formic acid forms hydrogen chloride, formyl chloride, and phosphoryl chloride.
• The chemical formic acid is found in some ant species, venom, and even in the secretion of stinging nettles.
• In high concentrations, it can be very harmful, but in low concentrations, it is very effective.
• Due to its antibacterial properties, it is used as a food preservative.

Also Read: Propan-2-ol Formula

Chemical Properties of Formic Acid

Natural Occurrence of Formic Acid

Also Check – Aluminium Nitrate Formula

Uses of Formic Acid

• In combination with citric acid, formic acid removes iron oxide deposits more effectively than when used alone.
• The use of formic acid in saturated monocarboxylic acids is one of its major applications.
• As a reducing agent, formic acid is very useful for reducing potassium dichromate and sodium dichromate.
• Formic acid is used in tanning and dyeing industries, but other cheaper assets are available, so formic acid is used less or only in cases where it is advantageous.
• Due to its antibacterial properties, formic acid is highly used in agriculture.
• Known as a pesticide, it is proven beneficial in preventing crops from being attacked by different pests.

Formic Acid Tests

• Changing the color of litmus paper from blue to red, producing carbon dioxide when mixed with a saturated solution of NaHCO ₃ ,
• Forming a silver mirror upon heating with ammonium silver nitrate, and generating a crimson cuprous oxide precipitate when heated with Fehling's solution.
• Additionally, heating with mercuric chloride results in the production of mercurous chloride and neutralization with ammonium hydroxide followed by the addition of ferric chloride solution creates a red color.
• Concentrated sulfuric acid also causes a release of carbon monoxide gas upon heating, which burns with flame.

Also Check – Ammonium Nitrate Formula

Interesting Facts of Formic Acid Formula

• Formic acid formula, also known as methanoic acid according to IUPAC, is a colorless and flammable liquid with a pungent odor that can cause discomfort when inhaled or comes into contact with skin.
• When carbon monoxide and sodium hydroxide combine with water, they produce sodium formate which then reacts with sulphuric acid to create formic acid.
• It belongs to the carboxylic acids family and is the first compound in its series. Its distinctively harsh and unpleasant smell is water-soluble and miscible.
• Heating formic acid with Fehling's solution produces a crimson cuprous oxide precipitate, while heating it with mercuric chloride solution results in the formation of a white precipitate of mercurous chloride.
• In the industrial world, saturated monocarboxylic acids are greatly improved by the addition of formic acid.