FComEx: Formic acid (PC000161)

Record Information

Version

1.0

Creation date

2015-10-09 22:28:56 UTC

Update date

2017-01-19 02:36:15 UTC

FoodComEx ID

PC000161

FoodDB Record

FDB012804

Chemical Information

Name

Formic acid

Description

Formic acid, also known as methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid, and has the chemical formula HCOOH. 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 through the oxidation of methanol. Formate is an intermediate in normal metabolism. It takes part in the metabolism of one-carbon compounds and its carbon may appear in methyl groups undergoing transmethylation. It is eventually oxidized to carbon dioxide. Formate is typically produced as a by-product in the production of acetate. It is responsible for both metabolic acidosis and disrupting mitochondrial electron transport and energy production by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase activity, the terminal electron acceptor of the electron transport chain. Cell death from cytochrome oxidase inhibition by formate is believed to result partly from depletion of ATP, reducing energy concentrations so that essential cell functions cannot be maintained. Furthermore, inhibition of cytochrome oxidase by formate may also cause cell death by increased production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) secondary to the blockade of the electron transport chain. In nature, formic acid is found in the stings and bites of many insects of the order Hymenoptera, including bees and ants. The principal use of formic acid is as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed. When sprayed on fresh hay or other silage, it arrests certain decay processes and causes the feed to retain its nutritive value longer. Urinary formate is produced by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter frundii, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus group B, Staphylococcus saprophyticus (PMID: 22292465).

CAS Number

64-18-6

Structure

MOL SDF PDB SMILES InChI

Synonyms

Synonym	Source
Acide formique	ChEBI
Add-F	HMDB
Amasil	biospider
Ameisensaeure	ChEBI
Ameisensaure	HMDB
Aminate	biospider
Aminic acid	biospider
Bilorin	biospider
Collo-bueglatt	biospider
Collo-didax	biospider
FEMA 2487	db_source
Formate	biospider
Formira	biospider
Formisoton	biospider
Formylate	biospider
Formylic acid	biospider
H-COOH	ChEBI
HCO2H	ChEBI
HCOOH	ChEBI
Hydrogen carboxylate	biospider
Hydrogen carboxylic acid	biospider
Methanoate	biospider
Methanoic acid	db_source
Methanoic acid monomer	HMDB
Methoate	Generator
Methoic acid	biospider
Myrmicyl	HMDB
Sodium formate	HMDB
Sybest	biospider
Wonderbond hardener m 600L	HMDB

Chemical Formula

CH2O2

IUPAC name

formic acid

InChI Identifier

InChI=1S/CH2O2/c2-1-3/h1H,(H,2,3)

InChI Key

BDAGIHXWWSANSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Isomeric SMILES

OC=O

Average Molecular Weight

46.0254

Monoisotopic Molecular Weight

46.005479308

Chemical Taxonomy

Description

Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as carboxylic acids. Carboxylic acids are compounds containing a carboxylic acid group with the formula -C(=O)OH.

Kingdom

Organic compounds

Super Class

Organic acids and derivatives

Class

Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Sub Class

Carboxylic acids

Direct Parent

Carboxylic acids

Alternative Parents

Substituents