| Name | Formic acid |
| Common Name | Formic acid |
| Chemical Formula | HCOOH |
| Chemical Class | Carboxylic acid |
| IUPAC Name | Methanoic acid |
| CAS Number | 64-18-6 |
| Molecular Weight | 46.0300 g/mol |
| Therapeutic Action | Used in treatment of warts, acne, and as a preservative; has antimicrobial properties |
| Toxicity | Corrosive to skin and mucous membranes; toxic if ingested or inhaled in large amounts; LD50 oral rat: 730 mg/kg |
| Solubility | Miscible with water, ethanol, ether, and glycerol |
| Pharmacological Effects | Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, acts as a reducing agent; causes pain and irritation upon contact with skin |
| Found in Herbs | Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle) , Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) , Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy) |
| Found in Foods | Honey, apples, strawberries, raspberries, and some cheeses |
| Found in Drugs | Some topical wart removers , pharmaceutical preservatives |
| Research Notes | Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid and is produced by ants and found in the venom of stinging nettles. Research explores its use in fuel cells and as a hydrogen storage material. |
| Reference | PubChem Compound Summary for CID 284, Formic Acid. National Center for Biotechnology Information. |
| URL | https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Formic-acid |
| Image | No image — edit to add one (AI can suggest a PubChem image URL) |
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