Formic acid, also called methanoic acid)
 
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.
 
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 analdehyde; 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 sodiumformate 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. 
 
  
   
    
 
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
 
   
  
 
**PLEASE ENSURE THIS IS CORRECT FOR YOUR USE BEFORE PURCHASE**
 
**PLEASE NOTE: - YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER BEFORE YOU CAN PURCHASE ANY ACID***