Characteristic

 

Sodium formate, HCOONa, is the sodium salt of formic acid, HCOOH. It usually appears as a white deliquescent powder.

Chemical formula:HCOONa

Molar mass: 68.007 g/mol

Appearance: white granules deliquescent

Density:1.92 g/cm³ (20 °C)

Melting point:253 °C (487 °F; 526 K)

Boiling point:decomposes

Solubility in water:43.82 g/100 mL (0 °C);97.2 g/100 mL (20 °C);160 g/100 mL (100 °C)

Solubility:insoluble in ether;soluble in glycerol, alcohol, formic acid

 

Application

 

Reducing agent, buffering agent, complexing agent, Noble metal precipitantSodium formate is used in analytical chemistry to precipitate noble metals. It is used for tanning leather, for dyeing and printing fabrics. It acts as an electroplating agent, an acidulant in the textile industry, a reducing agent, a mordant, a complexing agent. Further, it is used in photographic fixing baths. In addition, it is used as a buffering agent for strong mineral acids and food additive.