Formic Acid

 

Formic Acid

Formic acid, ant essence or systematically methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid and has the chemical formula HCOOH. This substance is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and is produced naturally. The word “formic” is derived from the Latin word for ant, formica, which indicates the distillation of the ant’s body. The ester, salt and anion of formic acid is called formate. Industrially, formic acid is produced from methanol.

Formic Acid


History of formic acid

Some alchemists and naturalists knew that anthills gave off acid fumes as early as the 15th century. The first person to describe the isolation of this substance (by distillation of large numbers of ants) was the English naturalist John Ray in 1671. Ants secrete formic acid for attack and defense purposes.

Formic acid was first made by the French chemist Joseph Guy Lussac from hydrocyanic acid. In 1855, another French chemist, Marcelin Bertrelot, produced formic acid by synthesizing carbon monoxide.

Formic acid has long been considered a chemical compound of little interest in the chemical industry. By the late 1960s, significant quantities became available as a byproduct of acetic acid production. Now this substance has increased as a preservative and antibacterial agent in animal feed.


What is formic acid?

Formic acid is named after ants that have a high concentration of the compound in their venom. In ants, formic acid is derived from serine via an intermediate. Formic acid‘s conjugate base, formate, also occurs widely in nature. The method for measuring formic acid in body fluids, which is designed to determine formate after methanol poisoning, is based on the reaction of formate with bacterial formamide dehydrogenase.

Formic acid is flammable at a concentration of 85%. Formic acid contains 53 grams per liter of hydrogen at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, which is three and a half times what compressed hydrogen gas can achieve at a pressure of 350 bar. Pure formic acid is a liquid whose flash point is +69°C, much higher than that of gasoline (-40°C) or ethanol (+13°C).



Click on the link below to read more:

Formic Acid


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Heavy Alkylate Benzene (HAB)

Image
  Heavy Alkylate Benzene (HAB) In this article, we will discuss the nature of Heavy Alkylate Benzene , and its characteristics. It is also intended to provide the readers with efficient information on various types of it, their unique features, and applications. Furthermore, it provides an explanation about Iran’s HAB production . Heavy Alkylate Benzene, and its characteristics Heavy alkylate benzene is a type of benzene that is manufactured through the alkylation of benzene with high molecular weight olefins. This process yields a product with a significant degree of branching, enhancing its resistance to thermal and oxidative degradation. It has some critical characteristics. The production of heavy alkylate benzene involves the use of exceptionally pure olefins. This process results in a product that is characterized by its high level of purity and free from impurities. The purity of the heavy alkylate benzene is essential in ensuring that it meets the required standards for...
Read more

Caustic Soda - Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

Image
Caustic Soda - Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a highly caustic and corrosive compound that is commonly known as caustic soda or lye . The name “ caustic soda ” comes from its ability to corrode or burn organic materials upon contact due to its strong alkaline properties. NaOH is a type of sodium hydrate, meaning that it contains water molecules within its crystal structure. What is caustic soda? In its pure form, caustic soda appears as a waxy, white solid that readily absorbs moisture from the air and dissolves in water to form an aqueous solution. Overall, sodium hydroxide has a wide range of industrial applications, including in the production of paper, textiles, soaps, and detergents. It is also used in the manufacturing of various chemicals, such as plastics and pharmaceuticals. However, due to its highly corrosive nature, sodium hydroxide must be handled with care and caution to prevent injury or damage. What are the applications of sodium hydroxide? Sod...
Read more

Calcium Chloride

Image
  Calcium Chloride In this article, we will discuss the nature of Calcium Chloride , and its characteristics. It is also intended to provide the readers with efficient information on various types of it, their unique features, and applications. Moreover, it provides an explanation about Iran’s Calcium Chloride production , and its privileges. What is Calcium Chloride? Calcium Chloride , denoted by the chemical formula CaCl2 , is a salt that is widely used across various industries due to its high solubility in water and versatile properties. This compound can be produced through multiple methods, including the reaction of limestone with hydrochloric acid or as a by-product of the Solvay process . Calcium Chloride’s specific features It is a salt compound with various features. Here are some of its features: Solubility : It is an extremely soluble compound in water, exhibiting a solubility of 74 grams per 100 milliliters at room temperature. This characteristic makes it a valuable i...
Read more