Substance profile
Formic acid
Formic acid is a colorless fuming liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor.
01 · Identification
What Formic acid is
Formic acid is a colorless fuming liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor. Its molecular formula is CH2O2 and its molecular weight is 46.025 g/mol. It boils at 101 °C, melts at 8.3 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Formic acid
- methanoic acid
- HCOOH
- Add-F
- Ameisensaure
- Aminic Acid
- Bilorin
- Collo-Bueglatt
- Collo-Didax
- Formic Acid (85-95% In Aqueous Solution)
- Formira
- Formisoton
- Formylic Acid
- Hydrogen Carboxylic Acid
- Methanoic Acid Monomer
- formic acid … %
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H290 | May be corrosive to metals. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH071
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P304, P305, P310, P312, P330, P331, P338, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Formic acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 101 °C (213.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 106.67 °C (224 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 100.72 °C (213.3 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -6.67 °C (20 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 8.39 °C (47.1 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.22 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.22 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.2174 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with ether, acetone, ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol; partially soluble in benzene, toluene, xylenes | HSDB | |
| Dissolves to the extent of about 10% in benzene, toluene, and xylenes, and to a lesser extent in aliphatic hydrocarbons. | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with water | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 35 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 35 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 42.59 mmHg | at 25 °C, Extrapolated | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 68.89 °C (156 °F) | HSDB | |
| 58.89 °C (138 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 50 °C (122 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 540 °C (1004 °F) | HSDB | |
| 601.11 °C (1114 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 520 °C (968 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 18 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 57 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 1.59 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.6 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | Water: 1700 mg/L; air 49 uL/L; Odor safety class E. E= less than 10% of attentive persons can detect TLV concentration in the air. | HSDB | |
| Detection threshold: 4.50x10+2 mg/L (liq) and 4.50x10-1 mg/L (gas) | Purity not specified | HSDB | |
| Detection threshold: 6.25x10-1 ppm, 6.25x10-2 ppm and 8.30x10+1 ppm | Medium water; purity not specified | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 314.85 °C (598.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to metals | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Formic acid
Storage conditions
Store in a dry, well-ventilated place. Separate from oxidizing materials and alkaline substances.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
/Aluminium/ ... reduces the acid (itself a reducant) with incandescence.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
FORMIC ACID reacts exothmerically with all bases, both organic (for example, the amines) and inorganic. Reacts with active metals to form gaseous hydrogen and a metal salt. Reacts with cyanide salts to generate gaseous hydrogen cyanide. Reacts with diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, and sulfides to generate flammable or toxic gases. Reacts with sulfites, nitrites, thiosulfates (to give H2S and SO3), dithionites (SO2), to generate flammable and/or toxic gases and heat. Reacts with carbonates and bicarbonates to generate carbon dioxide but still heat. Can be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents and reduced by strong reducing agents. These reactions generate heat. May initiate polymerization reactions or catalyze other chemical reactions. A mixture with furfuryl alcohol exploded [Chem. Eng. News 18:72(1940)].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Formic acid in the storage compatibility matrix →
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