Main applications of formic acid  

Background and Overview of formic acid

Formic Acid CAS 64-18-6 is the simplest organic acid, a small amount of ants, bees in the body, so also known as "formic acid".  The molecular formula is HCOOH.  It is a colorless and transparent smoky liquid with a stimulating odor, soluble in water, alcohol and ether.  It is an important chemical raw material with strong acidity and reducibility.  Volatile, decomposition occurs when heated.  Danger of burning in case of high heat.  Its steam and air can form explosive mixtures.  Hydrogen peroxide can cause an explosion.  Toxic. Irritation to the lungs and stomach when inhaled. Death when inhaled in large quantities.  The maximum allowable concentration in the air is 5ppm.  Relative density: 1.23(15℃/4℃);  Freezing point: 8.4℃;  Flash point: 68.89℃;  Boiling point: 101℃;  Spontaneous combustion point: 600℃;  Explosion limit: 18% ~ 57%.  Storage should be far away from fire, heat source, should be separated from oxidizing agent, alkali, strong acid, H porer and cyanide.  Handling should be handled with care and not upside down.  Prevent condensation and packaging damage.  Flush loose matter with water but wear protective tools when handling it.  In contact with skin, rinse immediately with plenty of water and apply ointment if necessary.  Send to hospital in case of inhalation poisoning.  Carbon monoxide and sodium hydroxide are commonly used in the production of formic acid. They are widely used in medicine, leather, printing and dyeing, textile, rubber and pesticide industries.  China's main producing areas in Henan, Shenyang, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Jinan, Guangxi and other places.  It exports nearly 6,000 tons a year, mainly to Malaysia, Japan and New Zealand.  

Application of formic acid

Formic acid, commonly known as Formic acid, as the simplest organic carboxylic acid, compared with other organic acids, its molecules contain both carboxylic and aldehyde groups, so Formic acid has both acid and aldehyde properties.  As an important chemical raw material, formic acid is widely used in rubber, leather, medicine, pesticides, dyes, fuel cells, catalytic hydrogen production, agriculture, environmental protection (as the main raw material of green snow melt agent) and other industries. In recent years, the domestic demand for formic acid has been growing at a rate of more than 10%.  

Key points of poisoning diagnosis  

1. Inhalation of low concentration vapor may cause irritation of conjunctiva and respiratory tract, such as nasopharyngeal discomfort, pharyngeal pain, cough, chest pain, dyspnea, etc.  After inhaling high concentration, there may be tears, runny nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat and hoarseness, etc. In severe cases, conjunctivitis, eyelid edema, rhinitis, bronchitis, and even acute chemical pneumonia may occur.  

2. Skin contact mainly causes irritation symptoms, such as skin redness and conjunctival congestion.  7% formic acid solution can also cause skin burns, blisters, burns painless, after healing without scar.  

3. After swallowing, salivation, burning sensation of mouth and throat, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and severe abdominal pain.  Concentrated formic acid can corrode the oral and digestive mucosa, cause vomiting, diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding, and can cause kidney damage and death in severe cases.  

Principles of poisoning treatment of formic acid

1. Inhalation poisoning, oxygen inhalation, can be given 2% ~ 4% sodium bicarbonate solution atomization inhalation, prevention and treatment of chemical pneumonia.  

2. Eye damage can be rinsed with normal saline or 2% sodium bicarbonate solution.  If there is no such solution, rinse with plenty of water.  In severe cases, adrenal glucocorticoid and antibiotic eye drops can be used alternately, and ophthalmology treatment can be requested if necessary.  

3. After skin contact, rinse with water, normal saline or 4% sodium bicarbonate solution.  

4. Vomiting, gastric lavage and catharsis.  Gastric lavage can use water or 2.5% magnesium oxide solution, not sodium bicarbonate solution, so as not to produce carbon dioxide and cause the possibility of gastric perforation.  Oral milk, soybean milk and egg white and other mucosal protective agents.  

5. Symptomatic treatment.  

The preparation of formic acid

The preparation of formic acid mainly includes traditional process, biological process and carbon dioxide hydrogenation process. The so-called traditional process mainly includes sodium formate method, butane liquid phase oxidation method, formamide method, methanol carbonyl synthesis method and methyl formate hydrolysis method.  Biological method refers to the process of preparing formic acid from glucose oxidation under the condition of sufficient oxygen and complete reaction. Although 1mol glucose can be oxidized to 6mol formic acid in theory, this process is still in the laboratory stage and it will take some time to realize industrialization.  At present, the production of formic acid is still based on traditional technology.  In 1935, Farlow and Adkins first discovered that the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide could produce formic acid (salt) with RaneyNi as catalyst.  And in the 1990s, carbon dioxide  

As a carbon source, the process of preparing formic acid (salt) or formic acid ester by reduction reaction has become a hot topic in C1 chemistry research and an important way to utilize carbon dioxide.  The reaction equation of hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid is:  

Obviously in theory it belongs to atomic economy 100% green process.  The study of this reaction has theoretical value on how to activate the thermodynamically stable inert molecule carbon dioxide.  Second, the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into formic acid is also the reaction of inorganic matter into organic matter;  Third, it can convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into formic acid and its derivatives with a wide range of uses.  Fourthly, formic acid is an important liquid hydrogen storage raw material, which can realize the purpose of converting gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen and facilitate storage and transportation. Formic acid can be decomposed to release hydrogen under certain conditions, so as to realize energy cycle.