Formic Acid
Formic acid (HCOOH), also known as methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid. It is a colorless liquid with a strong, pungent smell. Naturally found in ants and stinging insects, it gets its name from the Latin word formica, meaning "ant." Formic acid is versatile, with applications ranging from agriculture to industrial processes due to its preservative and acidic properties.
- Chemical Formula: HCOOH
- Total acidity as HCOOH 85% by mass min.
- Appearance: Colorless liquid with a pungent odor.
- Agriculture: Preservative and antibacterial in animal feed.
- Textile industry: Dyeing and finishing fabrics.
- Leather industry: Tanning processes.
- Chemical synthesis: Building block for other chemicals.
- Cleaning: Effective for descaling and rust removal.