formic acid

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a colorless, irritating, fuming, water-soluble liquid, CH 2 O 2 , originally obtained from ants and now manufactured synthetically, used in dyeing and tanning and in medicine chiefly as a counterirritant and astringent.

formic acid

noun

1. a colourless corrosive liquid carboxylic acid found in some insects, esp ants, and many plants: used in dyeing textiles and the manufacture of insecticides and refrigerants. Formula: HCOOH Systematic namemethanoic acid

formic acid

/ fôr′mĭk /

1. A colorless, caustic, fuming liquid that occurs naturally as the poison of ants and stinging nettles. It is used in making textiles and paper and in insecticides. Formic acid is the simplest organic acid, containing a carboxyl (COOH) group attached to a hydrogen atom. Chemical formula: CH 2 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of formic acid¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

A low-cost, tin-based catalyst can selectively convert carbon dioxide to three widely produced chemicals -- ethanol, acetic acid and formic acid.

From Science Daily

Dr Ziyun Wang's researchers in the School of Chemical Sciences, in collaboration with researchers at Chinese institutions, have demonstrated a method for turning CO2 into formic acid, reported in the journal Nature.

From Science Daily

"COFs have the potential to be useful in a variety of catalytic processes ? you might, for instance, use COFs to break down carbon dioxide into useful chemicals like ethylene and formic acid," Daum said.

From Science Daily

Once formic acid has been produced and extracted from the electrolyte, it is fed into a second device -- the microbial fuel cell -- where bacteria slowly convert it into carbon dioxide and electricity at the bioanode.

From Science Daily

Many candidates have been considered as possible hydrogen energy carries such as ammonia, formic acid, and metal hydrides.

From Science Daily