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Formic acid (from Latin formica 'ant'), systematically named methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid, and has the chemical formula HCOOH and structure H−C(=O)−O−H. It is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in some ants.
Formic acid can also be obtained by reacting ammonium formate with a dilute acid, and since ammonium formate is also produced from formic acid, it can serve as a way of storing formic acid. Ammonium formate can also be used in palladium on carbon (Pd/C) reduction of functional groups.
The systematic IUPAC name is not always the preferred IUPAC name, for example, lactic acid is a common, and also the preferred, name for what systematic rules call 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. This list is ordered by the number of carbon atoms in a carboxylic acid.
Examples of substances that are common reducing agents include hydrogen, carbon monoxide, the alkali metals, formic acid, [1] oxalic acid, [2] and sulfite compounds. In their pre-reaction states, reducers have extra electrons (that is, they are by themselves reduced) and oxidizers lack electrons (that is, they are by themselves oxidized).
Formaldehyde is readily oxidized by atmospheric oxygen into formic acid. For this reason, commercial formaldehyde is typically contaminated with formic acid. Formaldehyde can be hydrogenated into methanol. In the Cannizzaro reaction, formaldehyde and base react to produce formic acid and methanol, a disproportionation reaction.
The name pissant arises from the urine-like odour produced by their nesting material—needles and straw from pine trees—and the formic acid that constitutes their venom. [3] Formica rufa is one such ant, but there are others with similar characteristics. Forelius and Iridomyrmex are two genera of piss ants. [4]
Hydrolysis of methyl formate gives formic acid and regenerates methanol: HCOOCH 3 → HCOOH + CH 3 OH. Formic acid is used for many applications in industry. Formate esters often are fragrant or have distinctive odors. Compared to the more common acetate esters, formate esters are less commonly used commercially because they are less stable. [5]
Formylation generally involves the use of formylation agents, reagents that give rise to the CHO group. Among the many formylation reagents, particularly important are formic acid and carbon monoxide. [1] A formylation reaction in organic chemistry refers to organic reactions in which an organic compound is functionalized with a formyl group ...