Name | Formic acid |
Chemical Formula | HCOOH |
Molar Mass | 46.03 g/mol |
Appearance | Colorless liquid |
Odor | Pungent, penetrating |
Density | 1.22 g/cm³ |
Melting Point | 8.4 °C |
Boiling Point | 100.8 °C |
Solubility In Water | Miscible |
Acidity Pka | 3.75 |
Ph 0 1 M Solution | 2.4 |
Vapor Pressure | 16.1 mmHg at 20 °C |
Flash Point | 69 °C |
What is the main use of Formic acid?
Formic acid, commonly known as formic acid, is a colorless and pungent odor liquid. Its main uses are quite extensive and it plays a key role in many fields.
In the chemical industry, formic acid is an important raw material for organic synthesis. First, it can be used to prepare formate, such as calcium formate, sodium formate, etc. These formates are used in various industries. For example, calcium formate can be used as an early strength agent for cement, which can accelerate the hardening process of cement and improve the early strength of concrete, which is of great significance in the construction field. Second, it can also be used to produce formate esters, such as methyl formate, ethyl formate, etc. These formate esters are often used as solvents, with good solubility, and are widely used in paints, inks, adhesives and other industries. At the same time, some formate esters can also be used as fragrances to give products a unique aroma, which is indispensable in the fragrance industry.
In the leather industry, formic acid is a key use. It can be used in the hair removal and softening of leather. During the hair removal process, formic acid can destroy the connection structure between the hair and the leather, making the hair easier to fall off, and will not over-damage the leather fibers, ensuring the quality of the leather. In the softening step, formic acid can cause the leather fibers to swell and loosen, enhancing the softness and toughness of the leather, making leather products more comfortable to wear and better texture.
In the agricultural field, formic acid also makes an important contribution. On the one hand, it can be used as an additive for silage. During the silage process, the addition of formic acid can inhibit the growth and reproduction of harmful microorganisms, especially bacteria other than lactic acid bacteria, thus ensuring the fermentation quality of silage, prolonging its shelf life, and providing high-quality winter feed for livestock. On the other hand, formic acid has a certain repellent or killing effect on some crop pests, and can be used as a more environmentally friendly alternative to biopesticides, contributing to the green development of agriculture.
In addition, formic acid can be used as a coagulant in the rubber industry to assist the production and processing of rubber; in the pharmaceutical industry, it participates in the synthesis process of some drugs, which is of great significance to the research and development and production of medicine.
To sum up, formic acid, with its diverse uses, plays an indispensable role in many industries, and has a profound impact on industrial production, agricultural development, and people's daily lives.
Formic acid to the human body what harm?
Formic acid is also a highly corrosive organic acid. Its harm to the human body is quite deep and cannot be ignored.
The first to bear the brunt is the erosion of the skin and mucous membranes. If the skin touches it, it will quickly feel tingling, swelling and blisters will occur. If the amount is large and concentrated, it may cause epidermal necrosis and ulcers, which will be difficult to heal, and may leave scars after healing, damaging the beauty and function of the skin. As for the mucous membranes, such as the eyes, mouth, respiratory tract, etc., once contaminated, it is particularly harmful. The pain in the eyes is unbearable, which can cause congestion and edema of the conjunctiva of the eye, and even damage to the cornea, endangering the vision.
Furthermore, inhaling formic acid vapor through the respiratory tract is also a serious problem. It can irritate the mucosa of the respiratory tract, making people cough, asthma, and breathing difficulties. Being in an environment containing formic acid vapor for a long time may cause chronic respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis, emphysema, etc., the function of the lungs is gradually lost, and daily activities are also restricted. If you work for a while, you will feel shortness of breath and wheezing.
In addition, if you accidentally take formic acid by mistake, the gastrointestinal tract will be the first to suffer from it. It can cause burns in the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach, severe pain, and nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. In severe cases, it may cause gastrointestinal perforation and bleeding, which are all life-threatening serious diseases. If the treatment is delayed, there will be life-threatening worries.
In addition, the accumulation of formic acid in the body can interfere with normal metabolism. It can affect the acid-base balance, change the pH of human blood, and then affect the function of various organ systems in the body. In the long run, important organs such as liver and kidney are also implicated, their functions are damaged, and even fail, and the foundation of human health is shaken.
In short, formic acid is widely and seriously harmful to the human body. Daily contact with this substance must be taken with caution, strictly observe safety procedures, and take good protection to avoid harm from it.
What are the physical properties of Formic acid?
Formic acid, also known as formic acid, is an organic compound. Its physical properties are quite characteristic.
Looking at its properties, under room temperature and pressure, formic acid is a colorless and transparent liquid, and has a strong pungent odor. The smell is pungent. This odor is one of its remarkable characteristics.
When it comes to volatility, formic acid is highly volatile and easy to evaporate when placed in the air. This property causes it to spread quickly in the air, so it should be paid attention to when using it.
Solubility is also an important physical property. Formic acid and water can be miscible in any ratio, and it also has good solubility in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. This solubility makes it play an important role in many chemical reactions and industrial applications, and can be used as an excellent solvent to participate in various reactions.
Then again, the density of formic acid is slightly higher than that of water, which makes it have certain distribution characteristics in the mixed system.
In terms of boiling point and melting point, the boiling point of formic acid is about 100.8 ° C, and the melting point is about 8.6 ° C. This boiling point and melting point value determine its physical state under different temperature conditions. When the temperature reaches the boiling point, formic acid will change from liquid to gas; when the temperature drops below the melting point, it will solidify from liquid to solid.
In summary, the color, odor, volatility, solubility, density, melting point and other physical properties of formic acid together constitute its unique physical properties, which are widely used in chemistry, industry and many other fields. In-depth understanding of its properties is of great significance for research and practice in related fields.
Formic acid how to prepare?
Formic acid is an important organic compound, and the preparation method has been exquisite throughout the ages.
First, it can be prepared by reacting carbon monoxide with sodium hydroxide. First, the carbon monoxide is purified to remove its impurities. Then, under high temperature and high pressure conditions, it is introduced into the sodium hydroxide solution, and the two react to form sodium formate. This reaction formula is: $CO + NaOH\ stackrel {high temperature and high pressure }{=\!=\!=} HCOONa $. After forming sodium formate, it is acidified with sulfuric acid to obtain formic acid. The reaction formula is: $2HCOONa + H_ {2} SO_ {4} = Na_ {2} SO_ {4} + 2HCOOH $.
Second, the carbonylation of methanol is also a commonly used method. Methanol is first reacted with carbon monoxide under the action of a catalyst, which is mostly a complex of metal carbonyl compounds such as rhodium and palladium. The reaction is carried out at a suitable temperature and pressure to form methyl formate. The reaction formula is: $CH_ {3} OH + CO\ stackrel {catalyst }{=\!=\!=} HCOOCH_ {3} $. Then, the methyl formate is hydrolyzed to obtain formic acid. The hydrolysis reaction formula is: $HCOOCH_ {3} + H_ {2} O\ stackrel {catalyst }{=\!=\! =} HCOOH + CH_ {3} OH $, in which methanol can be recycled and recycled.
Third, carbohydrate fermentation can also produce formic acid. Select suitable microorganisms, such as some bacteria or fungi, and use carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose, etc. as substrates. Under specific fermentation conditions, microorganisms gradually metabolize and transform carbohydrates to produce formic acid. This process is relatively mild and does not require harsh conditions such as high temperature and pressure, but requires precise control of the fermentation environment, such as temperature, pH, ventilation, etc., to ensure the activity of microorganisms and the efficiency of fermentation.
The above methods for preparing formic acid have their own advantages and disadvantages, and should be used according to actual needs and conditions.
What should I pay attention to when storing and transporting Formic acid?
Formic acid is also a highly corrosive and toxic chemical substance. During storage and transportation, many matters need to be paid careful attention.
When storing, choose a suitable place first. When placed in a cool, ventilated and dry place, away from fire and heat sources. Because formic acid is volatile when heated, high temperature may cause its vapor pressure to increase, which may cause the container to break. And it needs to be stored separately from oxidants and alkalis, and must not be mixed to prevent violent chemical reactions. In case of oxidants, or oxidation reactions, fire or even explosion may occur.
Furthermore, storage containers are also crucial. Corrosion-resistant materials must be selected, such as special plastic or stainless steel containers. Due to the strong corrosiveness of formic acid, ordinary materials are easily eroded, resulting in formic acid leakage. The container needs to be well sealed to prevent formic acid from volatilizing into the air, polluting the environment and endangering human health.
When transporting, the transportation vehicle must meet safety standards. Equipped with corresponding fire equipment and leakage emergency treatment equipment. During driving, drivers need to drive slowly and avoid violent operations such as sudden braking and sharp turns to prevent container collision damage.
Escort personnel also need to be familiar with the characteristics of formic acid and emergency treatment methods. In case of leakage, immediate measures should be taken. Small leaks can be absorbed by mixing sand, dry lime or soda ash; large leaks need to be contained by building a dike or digging a pit, and transferred to a special collector by pump for recycling or transportation to a waste treatment site for disposal.
During transportation and storage, staff should wear appropriate protective equipment, such as gas masks, chemical protective clothing, protective gloves, etc., to ensure their own safety and protection from formic acid.