Natriumformiat

Natriumformiat, or sodium formate, is the sodium salt of formic acid. Its chemical formula is HCOONa. It appears as a white, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water and relatively stable at room temperature. When exposed to strong heating, it decomposes to form formic acid and a sodium-containing residue.

Production methods typically involve neutralizing formic acid with sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate, yielding sodium formate and water (or carbon dioxide in the bicarbonate route). The salt can also be obtained as a byproduct in certain formic acid production processes.

Sodium formate has several practical uses. It serves as a chemical intermediate and a buffering agent, providing a source of formate in organic synthesis and in pH-control formulations. It is widely used as a deicing agent for roads and airport runways because it is less corrosive to concrete and metals than some alternative deicers. In the textile and leather industries, it is used as a buffering agent during dyeing and finishing. It also appears in certain laboratory buffers and analytical methods as a source of formate.

Safety and environmental aspects: Sodium formate has relatively low acute toxicity but can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract if dust is inhaled. It should be handled with standard precautions, avoiding inhalation of dust and contact with acids, which release formic acid. It is soluble in water and generally shows low persistence and bioaccumulation, but disposal should follow local regulatory guidance.