甲酸

Formic acid, also called methanoic acid), is  the simplest and has the lowest mole weight of the carboxylic acids, in which a single hydrogen atom is attached to the carboxyl group (HCOOH). If a methyl group is attached to the carboxyl group, the compound is acetic acid. It occurs naturally in the body of ants and in the stingers of bees. Functionally, it is not only an acid but also an aldehyde; it reacts with alcohols to form esters as an acid and it is easily oxidized which imparts some of the character of an aldehyde. Pure formic acid is a colorless, toxic, corrosive and fuming liquid, freezing at 8.4 C and boiling at 100.7 C. It is soluble in water, ether, and alcohol. It irritates the mucous membranes and blisters the skin. It is prepared commercially from sodium formate with the reaction of condensed sulfuric acid. Formic acid is used as a chemical intermediate and solvent, and as a disinfectant. It is also in processing textiles and leathers, electroplating and coagulating latex rubber.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL STATE

colorless liquid with a pungent odor

MELTING POINT

8.3 C

BOILING POINT

100.7 C

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

1.21

SOLUBILITY IN WATER

miscible

pH

VAPOR DENSITY

1.6

AUTOIGNITION

REFRACTIVE INDEX

NFPA RATINGS

Health: 2; Flammability: 2; Reactivity: 1

FLASH POINT

69 C

STABILITY

Stable under ordinary conditions

APPLICATIONS

It is used for decalcifier; reducer in dyeing for wool fast colours; dehairing and plumping hides; tanning; electroplating; coagulating rubber latex; silage and grain preservation; aidditive in regenerating old rubber; solvents of perfume; lacquers;  alkylating agent for alcohols; carboxylating agent for tertiary compounds. It is also used as an intermediate for the production of a wide variety of products in the chemicals and pharmaceutical industries.

SALES SPECIFICATION

APPEARANCE

colorless liquid with a pungent odor

FORMIC ACID

85.0% min

COLOR, APHA

10 max

CHLORIDE (Cl)

5ppm max

NONVOLATILES

50ppm max

Fe

5ppm max