Formate

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Formate
Formate.svg
Aromatic ball and stick model of formate Formate-3D-balls.png
Aromatic ball and stick model of formate
Space-filling model of formate Formate-3D-vdW.png
Space-filling model of formate
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Formate
Systematic IUPAC name
Methanoate
Other names
Formylate
Methylate
Isocarbonite
Carbonite(1-)
Hydrogencarboxylate
Metacarbonoate
Oxocarbinate
Oxomethyl oxide ion
Oxomethoxide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
MeSH Formates
PubChem CID
UNII
  • O=C[O-]
Properties
HCOO
or HCO
2
Molar mass 45.017 g mol−1
Conjugate acid Formic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Formate (IUPAC name: methanoate) is the conjugate base of formic acid. Formate is an anion (HCO2) or its derivatives such as ester of formic acid. The salts and esters are generally colorless. [1]

Contents

Fundamentals

When dissolved in water, formic acid converts to formate:

HCO2H → HCO2 + H+

Formate is a planar anion. The two oxygen atoms are equivalent and bear a partial negative charge. The remaining C-H bond is not acidic.

Biochemistry

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Formate is a common C-1 source in living systems. It is formed from many precursors including choline, serine, and sarcosine. It provides a C-1 source in the biosynthesis of some nucleic acids. Formate (or formic acid) is invoked as a leaving group in the demethylation of some sterols. [2] These conversions are catalyzed by aromatase enzymes using O2 as the oxidant. Specific conversions include testosterone to estradiol and androstenedione to estrone. [3]

Formate is reversibly oxidized by the enzyme formate dehydrogenase from Desulfovibrio gigas: [4]

HCO2 → CO2 + H+ + 2 e

Formate esters

Formate esters have the formula HCOOR (alternative way of writing formula ROC(O)H or RO2CH). Many form spontaneously when alcohols dissolve in formic acid.

The most important formate ester is methyl formate, which is produced as an intermediate en route to formic acid. Methanol and carbon monoxide react in the presence of a strong base, such as sodium methoxide: [1]

CH3OH + CO → HCOOCH3

Hydrolysis of methyl formate gives formic acid and regenerates methanol:

HCOOCH3 → HCOOH + CH3OH

Formic acid is used for many applications in industry.

Formate esters often are fragrant or have distinctive odors. Compared to the more common acetate esters, formate esters are less commonly used commercially because they are less stable. [5] Ethyl formate is found in some confectionaries. [1]

Formate salts

Formate salts have the formula M(O2CH)(H2O)x. Such salts are prone to decarboxylation. For example, hydrated nickel formate decarboxylates at about 200 °C with reduction of the Ni2+ to finely powdered nickel metal:

Ni(HCO2)2(H2O)2 → Ni + 2 CO2 + 2 H2O + H2

Such fine powders are useful as hydrogenation catalysts. [1]

Examples

Copper(II) formate hydrate Copper(II) formate hydrate.jpg
Copper(II) formate hydrate

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ester</span> Compound derived from an acid

In chemistry, an ester is a functional group derived from an acid in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group of that acid is replaced by an organyl group. Analogues derived from oxygen replaced by other chalcogens belong to the ester category as well. According to some authors, organyl derivatives of acidic hydrogen of other acids are esters as well, but not according to the IUPAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methanol</span> CH3OH; simplest possible alcohol

Methanol is an organic chemical compound and the simplest aliphatic alcohol, with the chemical formula CH3OH. It is a light, volatile, colorless and flammable liquid with a distinctive alcoholic odor similar to that of ethanol, but is more acutely toxic than the latter. Methanol acquired the name wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly by the destructive distillation of wood. Today, methanol is mainly produced industrially by hydrogenation of carbon monoxide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Formic acid</span> Simplest carboxylic acid (HCOOH)

Formic acid, systematically named methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid, and has the chemical formula HCOOH and structure H−C(=O)−O−H. It is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in some ants. Esters, salts and the anion derived from formic acid are called formates. Industrially, formic acid is produced from methanol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acetate</span> Salt compound formed from acetic acid and a base

An acetate is a salt formed by the combination of acetic acid with a base. "Acetate" also describes the conjugate base or ion typically found in aqueous solution and written with the chemical formula C
2
H
3
O
2
. The neutral molecules formed by the combination of the acetate ion and a positive ion are also commonly called "acetates". The simplest of these is hydrogen acetate with corresponding salts, esters, and the polyatomic anion CH
3
CO
2
, or CH
3
COO
.

Acrylates are the salts, esters, and conjugate bases of acrylic acid. The acrylate ion is the anion CH2=CHCO−2. Often, acrylate refers to esters of acrylic acid, the most common member being methyl acrylate. These acrylates contain vinyl groups. These compounds are of interest because they are bifunctional: the vinyl group is susceptible to polymerization and the carboxylate group carries myriad functionalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbamate</span> Chemical group (>N–C(=O)–O–)

In organic chemistry, a carbamate is a category of organic compounds with the general formula R2NC(O)OR and structure >N−C(=O)−O−, which are formally derived from carbamic acid. The term includes organic compounds, formally obtained by replacing one or more of the hydrogen atoms by other organic functional groups; as well as salts with the carbamate anion H2NCOO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methyl formate</span> Chemical compound

Methyl formate, also called methyl methanoate, is the methyl ester of formic acid. The simplest example of a carboxylate ester, it is a colorless liquid with an ethereal odour, high vapor pressure, and low surface tension. It is a precursor to many other compounds of commercial interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Formamide</span> Chemical compound

Formamide is an amide derived from formic acid. It is a colorless liquid which is miscible with water and has an ammonia-like odor. It is chemical feedstock for the manufacture of sulfa drugs and other pharmaceuticals, herbicides and pesticides, and in the manufacture of hydrocyanic acid. It has been used as a softener for paper and fiber. It is a solvent for many ionic compounds. It has also been used as a solvent for resins and plasticizers. Some astrobiologists suggest that it may be an alternative to water as the main solvent in other forms of life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methyl methacrylate</span> Chemical compound

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is an organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH3)COOCH3. This colorless liquid, the methyl ester of methacrylic acid (MAA), is a monomer produced on a large scale for the production of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xanthate</span> Salt that is a metal-thioate/O-esters of dithiocarbonate

A xanthate is a salt or ester of a xanthic acid. The formula of the salt of xanthic acid is [R−O−CS2]M+. Xanthate also refers to the anion [R−O−CS2]. The formula of a xanthic acid is R−O−C(=S)−S−H, such as ethyl xanthic acid, while the formula of an ester of a xanthic acid is R−O−C(=S)−S−R', where R and R' are organyl groups. The salts of xanthates are also called O-organyl dithioates. The esters of xanthic acid are also called O,S-diorganyl esters of dithiocarbonic acid. The name xanthate is derived from Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthos) meaning 'yellowish' or 'golden', and indeed most xanthate salts are yellow. They were discovered and named in 1823 by Danish chemist William Christopher Zeise. These organosulfur compounds are important in two areas: the production of cellophane and related polymers from cellulose and for extraction of certain sulphide bearing ores. They are also versatile intermediates in organic synthesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methacrylic acid</span> Chemical compound

Methacrylic acid, abbreviated MAA, is an organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH3)CO2H. This colorless, viscous liquid is a carboxylic acid with an acrid unpleasant odor. It is soluble in warm water and miscible with most organic solvents. Methacrylic acid is produced industrially on a large scale as a precursor to its esters, especially methyl methacrylate (MMA), and to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ortho ester</span> Chemical group with the structure RC(OR)3

In organic chemistry, an ortho ester is a functional group containing three alkoxy groups attached to one carbon atom, i.e. with the general formula RC(OR′)3. Orthoesters may be considered as products of exhaustive alkylation of unstable orthocarboxylic acids and it is from these that the name 'ortho ester' is derived. An example is ethyl orthoacetate, CH3C(OCH2CH3)3, more correctly known as 1,1,1-triethoxyethane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium methoxide</span> Ionic organic compound (CH3ONa)

Sodium methoxide is the simplest sodium alkoxide. With the formula CH3ONa, it is a white solid, which is formed by the deprotonation of methanol. It is a widely used reagent in industry and the laboratory. It is also a dangerously caustic base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimethyl carbonate</span> Chemical compound

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is an organic compound with the formula OC(OCH3)2. It is a colourless, flammable liquid. It is classified as a carbonate ester. This compound has found use as a methylating agent and as a co-solvent in lithium-ion batteries. Notably, dimethyl carbonate is a weak methylating agent, and is not considered as a carcinogen. Instead, dimethyl carbonate is often considered to be a green reagent, and it is exempt from the restrictions placed on most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the United States.

Carbamic acid, which might also be called aminoformic acid or aminocarboxylic acid, is the chemical compound with the formula H2NCOOH. It can be obtained by the reaction of ammonia NH3 and carbon dioxide CO2 at very low temperatures, which also yields ammonium carbamate [NH4]+[NH2CO2]. The compound is stable only up to about 250 K (−23 °C); at higher temperatures it decomposes into those two gases. The solid apparently consists of dimers, with the two molecules connected by hydrogen bonds between the two carboxyl groups –COOH.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dithiocarbamate</span> Chemical group (>N–C(=S)–S–)

In organic chemistry, a dithiocarbamate is a functional group with the general formula R2N−C(=S)−S−R and structure >N−C(=S)−S−. It is the analog of a carbamate in which both oxygen atoms are replaced by sulfur atoms.

In chemistry, carbonylation refers to reactions that introduce carbon monoxide (CO) into organic and inorganic substrates. Carbon monoxide is abundantly available and conveniently reactive, so it is widely used as a reactant in industrial chemistry. The term carbonylation also refers to oxidation of protein side chains.

Thiocarbonate describes a family of anions with the general chemical formula CS
3−x
O2−
x
(x = 0, 1, or 2):

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methyl chloroformate</span> Chemical compound

Methyl chloroformate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Cl−C(=O)−O−CH3. It is the methyl ester of chloroformic acid. It is an oily colorless liquid, although aged samples appear yellow. It is also known for its pungent odor.

Nickel formate is the nickel salt of formic acid with the chemical formula Ni(HCOO)2.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Reutemann, Werner; Kieczka, Heinz (2000), "Formic Acid", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, doi:10.1002/14356007.a12_013, ISBN   3-527-30673-0
  2. Pietzke, Matthias; Meiser, Johannes; Vazquez, Alexei (2020). "Formate Metabolism in Health and Disease". Molecular Metabolism. 33: 23–37. doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2019.05.012. PMC   7056922 . PMID   31402327.
  3. Lephart, E. D. (1996). "A Review of Brain Aromatase Cytochrome P450". Brain Res. Rev. 22 (1): 1–26. doi:10.1016/0165-0173(96)00002-1. PMID   8871783. S2CID   11987113.
  4. Reda, Torsten; Plugge, Caroline M.; Abram, Nerilie J.; Hirst, Judy (2008). "Reversible interconversion of carbon dioxide and formate by an electroactive enzyme". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 105 (31): 10654–10658. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0801290105 . PMC   2491486 . PMID   18667702.
  5. Panten, Johannes; Surburg, Horst (2015), "Flavors and Fragrances, 2. Aliphatic Compounds", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, pp. 1–55, doi:10.1002/14356007.t11_t01, ISBN   978-3-527-30673-2