Formic acid

Model NO.: HQ-09

Quantity:

Product Description

Formic Acid (HCOOH) Product Introduction

1. Product Overview

Formic acid (HCOOH), also known as methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid. It is a colorless, fuming liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor. As a versatile chemical, formic acid plays a critical role in various industries including agriculture, leather processing, textiles, and chemical synthesis.

With a molecular weight of 46.03 g/mol and a density of 1.22 g/mL at 25°C, formic acid is miscible with water, ethanol, and ether. It exhibits both acidic and reducing properties due to its unique molecular structure, which allows it to act as both a carboxylic acid and an aldehyde.

2. Physical and Chemical Properties

Property	Value
Chemical Formula	HCOOH
Molecular Weight	46.03 g/mol
Purity	≥85% (industrial grade); ≥99.9% (electronic grade)
Appearance	Colorless liquid with pungent odor
Density	1.22 g/mL at 25°C
Boiling Point	100.6°C
Melting Point	8.2-8.4°C
Flash Point	68.9°C (open cup)
Solubility	Miscible with water, ethanol, and ether
pH Value	~2.2 (10 g/L aqueous solution)
Hazard Class	UN 1779, Class 8 (Corrosive), Class 3 (Flammable Liquid)

3. Key Chemical Characteristics

Unique Molecular Structure

Formic acid has a unique structure where a hydrogen atom is directly attached to the carboxyl group (-COOH), giving it both carboxylic acid and aldehyde properties. This allows it to act as both an acid and a reducing agent.

Reactivity

Acidic Properties: Formic acid is a stronger acid than acetic acid (pKa 3.75 vs 4.76)
Reducing Properties: Can be oxidized to carbon dioxide and water
Esterification: Reacts with alcohols to form formate esters
Decarboxylation: Decomposes to carbon monoxide and water when heated

Hazardous Properties

Flammability: Flammable within the range of 12-38% in air
Corrosiveness: Strongly corrosive to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract
Toxicity: LD50 1100 mg/kg (rat, oral)

4. Applications

Agriculture and Animal Feed

Silage Preservation: Used as a preservative to inhibit bacterial growth in silage
Animal Feed Additive: Improves feed efficiency and reduces pathogen-caused diseases in animal intestines
Pesticide Synthesis: Intermediate for producing insecticides like imidacloprid

Leather Processing

Hair Removal: Used in leather depilation processes
pH Adjustment: Controls pH levels during tanning and dyeing
Preservation: Prevents bacterial growth during storage

Textile Industry

Dyeing: Used as a mordant and pH regulator in textile dyeing
Wastewater Treatment: Neutralizes excess NaOH from manufacturing processes
Finishing: Improves fabric texture and color fastness

Rubber Industry

Latex Coagulation: Traditional use for coagulating natural rubber latex
Vulcanization: Used in rubber vulcanization processes

Chemical Synthesis

Formate Salts: Precursor for producing potassium formate and cesium formate
Pharmaceuticals: Intermediate for manufacturing vitamin B1 and other drugs
Solvents: Used as a solvent in various chemical reactions

Energy Storage

Hydrogen Carrier: Research is ongoing into using formic acid as a hydrogen storage medium
Fuel Cells: Direct formic acid fuel cells show promise for portable power applications

5. Safety and Handling

Exposure Limits

TLV-TWA: 5 ppm (ACGIH, OSHA)
IDLH: 100 ppm (NIOSH)
STEL: 10 ppm (ACGIH)

Personal Protective Equipment

Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator in areas with potential exposure
Eye Protection: Wear chemical splash goggles or face shield
Skin Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing
Foot Protection: Wear safety shoes with non-slip soles

Emergency Procedures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately. If breathing stops, perform CPR
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse with water for at least 15 minutes
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 20 minutes and seek medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately

6. Quality Standards

Industrial Grade (GB/T 2093-2011)

Formic Acid Content: ≥85.0% (一等品), ≥80.0% (合格品)
Acetic Acid Content: ≤0.5% (一等品), ≤1.0% (合格品)
Iron Content: ≤0.001% (一等品), ≤0.005% (合格品)

Electronic Grade

Purity: ≥99.999%
Impurity Levels: Total impurities ≤0.1 ppmv

7. Packaging and Storage

Packaging Options

Plastic Drums: 25kg, 200kg, 240kg
IBC Containers: 1000kg, 1200kg
Bulk Tankers: For large volume shipments

Storage Conditions

Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources
Maintain storage temperature between 15-25°C
Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent evaporation
Separate from strong oxidizers, bases, and food products

8. Transportation

Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive) with subsidiary risk 3 (Flammable Liquid)
UN Number: 1779
Packing Group: II
Special Precautions: Ensure proper labeling and documentation for transport

9. Environmental Impact

Biodegradability

Formic acid is readily biodegradable in aquatic environments
Does not bioaccumulate in living organisms

Air Quality

Contributes to acid rain when released into the atmosphere
Can react with hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere

Water Quality

Low concentrations are not harmful to aquatic life
High concentrations can cause pH changes in water bodies

10. Quality Assurance

Our formic acid products are manufactured to meet the highest quality standards:

Stringent Quality Control: Multiple testing stages throughout production
Traceability: Complete batch tracking and documentation
Compliance: Meets international standards and regulatory requirements
Technical Support: Professional team available for product application guidance