CHCOOOH

CHCOOOH is the chemical formula for formic acid, also known as methanoic acid. It is the simplest carboxylic acid. Formic acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. It is a naturally occurring compound found in the venom of ants and the stingers of bees.

Industrially, formic acid is produced through several methods, including the carbonylation of methanol followed by hydrolysis, or as a byproduct of acetic acid production. Its properties include being a strong reducing agent and a relatively strong acid, stronger than acetic acid. It is corrosive and can cause burns on skin contact.

Formic acid has a variety of applications. It is used in the preservation and antibacterial treatment of livestock feed, as well as in leather tanning and textile dyeing. It also serves as a solvent and a chemical reagent in various organic syntheses. Its ability to donate a hydrogen atom makes it useful in certain reduction reactions. Due to its acidic and corrosive nature, appropriate safety precautions are necessary when handling formic acid.