Formic acid

Reducing agent. Used for the determination of arsenic, bismuth, aluminum, copper, gold, indium, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, silver, and zinc. Used for the identification of cerium, rhenium, and tungsten. Used for testing aromatic primary and secondary amines. Used as a solvent for determining relative molecular mass and crystallization. Used for determining methoxy groups. Used as a fixative in microanalysis. Used in the manufacture of formates.

Major Applications

Agriculture Sector:

Silage preservative: Formic acid inhibits the growth of molds and spoilage bacteria in silage, extends storage life, and preserves nutritional content (addition amount 0.5%-1.5%).

Crop fungicide: Low-concentration formic acid (1%-3%) is used to control wheat powdery mildew and fungal diseases on fruit trees, replacing some highly toxic pesticides.

Leather and Textile Industry:

Leather dehairing and tanning: Formic acid acts as an acid regulator to adjust the pH of the tanning liquor (3-4), promoting the binding of tanning agents (such as chromium salts) to skin collagen and improving leather softness.

Textile dyeing auxiliary: Used in acid dyeing to improve the adsorption of dyes onto fibers and enhance color fastness.

Chemical and Energy:

Organic synthesis intermediate: Used in the synthesis of methyl formate (solvent), formamide (pharmaceutical raw material), caffeine, etc.

Fuel cell fuel: Formic acid is easily oxidized (reaction: HCOOH→CO₂+ 2H⁺+ 2e⁻), serving as a fuel for direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFC) with high energy density and lower toxicity than methanol.

Pharmaceutical and Food:

Pharmaceutical intermediate: Used in the synthesis of drugs such as Analgin and Vitamin B1.

Food additive: Used as a preservative (limited use permitted by GB 2760) to inhibit microbial growth in food.