formiaatti

Formiate is a salt or ester of formic acid. Formic acid, the simplest carboxylic acid, has the chemical formula HCOOH. When formic acid loses a proton (H+), it forms the formate anion, HCOO-. This anion can then combine with a metal cation to form a formate salt, such as sodium formate (HCOONa) or potassium formate (HCOOK). Alternatively, the carboxyl group of formic acid can react with an alcohol to form a formate ester, with the general formula RCOOR', where R is a hydrogen atom and R' is an alkyl or aryl group.

Formate salts have various industrial applications. For example, sodium formate is used as a de-icing agent for airport runways, as a reducing agent in chemical synthesis, and in the production of formic acid itself. Potassium formate is also used as a de-icing fluid and has applications in oil and gas drilling fluids due to its biodegradability and low toxicity. Calcium formate is used as a concrete additive to accelerate setting time and improve strength.

Formate esters are less common than formate salts but can be found as intermediates in organic synthesis. Some formate esters have characteristic fragrances and are used in the flavor and fragrance industry. The presence of the formate group is a key structural feature in many organic molecules, and its chemical properties, such as its reducing ability and its susceptibility to hydrolysis, are important in various chemical reactions.