Product name

Formic acid

CAS

64-18-6

Formic acid Chemical Properties

Melting point 

8.2-8.4 °C(lit.)

Boiling point 

101 °C

density 

1.22

vapor density 

1.03 (vs air)

vapor pressure 

52 mm Hg ( 37 °C)

refractive index 

n20/D 1.377

FEMA 

2487 | FORMIC ACID

Fp 

133 °F

storage temp. 

2-8°C

solubility 

H2O: soluble1g/10 mL, clear, colorless

pka

3.75(at 20℃)

form 

Liquid

Specific Gravity

1.216 (20℃/20℃)

color 

APHA: ≤15

PH

2.2 (10g/l, H2O, 20℃)

explosive limit

12-38%(V)

Water Solubility 

MISCIBLE

Sensitive 

Hygroscopic

λmax

λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.03
λ: 280 nm Amax: 0.01

Merck 

14,4241

JECFA Number

79

BRN 

1209246

Henry's Law Constant

At 25 °C: 95.2, 75.1, 39.3, 10.7, and 3.17 at pH values of 1.35, 3.09, 4.05, 4.99, and 6.21, respectively (Hakuta et al., 1977)

Exposure limits

TLV-TWA 5 ppm (~9 mg/m3) (ACGIH, MSHA, OSHA, and NIOSH); IDLH 100 ppm (180 mg/m3) (NIOSH).

Stability:

Stable. Substances to be avoided include strong bases, strong oxidizing agents and powdered metals, furfuryl alcohol. Combustible. Hygroscopic. Pressure may build up in tightly closed bottles, so bottles should be opened carefully and vented periodically.

Formic acid Usage

Uses

Formic acid has a number of commercial uses. It is used in the leather industry to degreaseand remove hair from hides and as an ingredient in tanning formulations. It is used as alatex coagulant in natural rubber production. Formic acid and its formulations are used aspreservatives of silage. It is especially valued in Europe where laws require the use of naturalantibacterial agents rather than synthetic antibiotics. Silage is fermented grass and crops thatare stored in silos and used for winter feed. Silage is produced during anaerobic fermentationwhen bacteria produce acids that lower the pH, preventing further bacterial action. Acetic acidand lactic acid are the desired acids during silage fermentation. Formic acid is used in silageprocessing to reduce undesirable bacteria and mold growth. Formic acid reduces Clostridiabacteria that would produce butyric acid causing spoilage. In addition to preventing silagespoilage, formic acid helps preserve protein content, improves compaction, and preservessugar content. Formic acid is used as a miticide by beekeepers.

Uses

Formic Acid is a flavoring substance that is liquid and colorless, and possesses a pungent odor. it is miscible in water, alcohol, ether, and glycerin, and is obtained by chemical synthesis or oxidation of methanol or formaldehyde

Uses

Formic acid occurs in the stings of ants andbees. It is used in the manufacture of estersand salts, dyeing and finishing of textiles andpapers, electroplating, treatment of leather,and coagulating rubber latex, and also as areducing agent.

Uses

Dyeing and finishing of textile; leather treatment; chemicals (formates, oxalic acid, organic esters); manufacture of fumigants, insecticides, refrigerants; solvents for perfumes, lacquers; electroplating; brewing (antiseptic); silvering glass; cellulose