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Formic acid
Formic acid.svg
Formic-acid-CRC-MW-3D-balls.png
Formic acid 85 percent.jpg
Other names Carbonous acid; Formylic acid; Hydrogen carboxylic acid; Hydroxy(oxo)methane; Metacarbonoic acid; Oxocarbinic acid; Oxomethanol
Identifiers
CAS number 64-18-6
PubChem 284
EC number 200-579-1
DrugBank DB01942
KEGG C00058
ChEBI CHEBI:30751
RTECS number LQ4900000
SMILES O=CO
Properties
Molecular formula CH2O2
Molar mass 46.01 g mol-1
Appearance Colorless fuming liquid
Odor Pungent, penetrating
Density 1.220 g/mL
Melting point

8.4 °C, 282 K, 47 °F

Boiling point

100.8 °C, 374 K, 213 °F

Solubility in water Miscible
Solubility Miscible with ether, acetone, ethyl acetate, glycerol, methanol, ethanol
Partially soluble in benzene, toluene, xylenes
log P −0.54
Vapor pressure 35 mmHg (20 °C)
Acidity (pKa) 3.77
-19.90·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD) 1.3714 (20 °C)
Viscosity 1.57 cP at 268 °C
Structure
Molecular shape Planar
Dipole moment 1.41 D (gas)
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of
formation ΔfHo298
−425.0 kJ/mol
Std enthalpy of
combustion
ΔcHo298
−254.6 kJ/mol
Standard molar
entropy So298
131.8 J/mol K
Pharmacology
ATC code
Hazards
Main hazards Corrosive; irritant;
sensitizer
NFPA 704

NFPA 704.svg

2
3
1
 
R-phrases Template:R10 R35
S-phrases (S1/2) S23 S26 S45
Explosive limits 14–34%
18%–57% (90% solution)
U.S. Permissible
exposure limit (PEL)
TWA 5 ppm (9 mg/m3)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Formica rufa Quadrat
Formic acid is named after the ants that use it for attack and defense

Formic acid, or methanoic acid, is the simplist carboxylic acid and has the chemical formula HCO2H. Many animals use for defence. The word "formic" comes from the Latin word for ant, formica, referring to its early isolation by the distillation of ant bodies, and the trivial name in some languages means "ant-acid", such as Dutch mierenzuur, Danish myresyre, Faroese meyrusýra, Français acide formique and German Ameisensäure. Esters, salts, and the anions derived from formic acid are called formates.

In the 15th century, many alchemists reported that ants use an acidid fluid for defense. English naturalist John Ray was the first to get formic acid, by distilling ants, in 1671.

In nature, it is found in most ants. The wood ants from the genus Formica can spray formic acid on their preys or to defend the nest. It is also known from the trichomes of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Formic acid is a naturally occurring component of the atmosphere due primarily to forest emissions .

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ácido fórmico para niños

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