8621. Sodium Formate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 141-53-7
Formic acid sodium salt (1:1).
CHNaO2; mol wt 68.01.
C 17.66%, H 1.48%, Na 33.80%, O 47.05%.
HCOONa.

Properties

White, deliquesc granules or cryst powder; slight odor of formic acid. d 1.92. mp 253°; at higher temp dec into sodium oxalate and hydrogen, then into sodium carbonate. Sol in ≈1.3 parts water; sol in glycerol, slightly in alcohol. The aq soln is neutral. pH ≈7. Has buffering action. Keep well closed.

Use

In dyeing and printing fabrics; also in anal. chemistry as a precipitant for the “noble” metals. Solubilizes trivalent metal ions in soln by forming complex ions. Buffering action adjusts the pH of strong mineral acids to higher values.

Therapeutic Category

Caustic, astringent.

Keywords

Astringent