Ammonium Formate

Product Description

Ammonium formate NHHCO is the ammonium salt of formic acid It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water Like other formates ammonium formate has a variety of uses across several industries due to its specific chemical properties

 1 Organic Synthesis

    Catalyst and Reducing Agent Ammonium formate is commonly used as a source of formic acid and ammonia in organic reactions In the presence of palladium Pd it serves as a reducing agent converting aromatic nitro compounds to anilines a useful process in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and dyes

    Decomposition When heated ammonium formate decomposes into ammonia and formic acid which can further decompose into water and carbon monoxide This property is useful in transfer hydrogenation reactions

 2 Buffer in Chromatography

    HPLC and Mass Spectrometry Ammonium formate is used as a buffer in highperformance liquid chromatography HPLC and mass spectrometry MS applications It helps maintain pH levels and facilitates ionization during the analysis of compounds making it a popular choice for LCMS applications

    pH Control In aqueous solutions ammonium formate can act as a buffer to maintain specific pH levels particularly in biological and chemical processes

 3 Preservation and Deicing

    Use in Preservation Like other ammonium salts it can be used as a preservative in certain applications although less commonly than potassium or sodium formates

    Deicing Ammonium formate along with other formates can be used as a deicing agent in sensitive environments where corrosion and environmental impact are concerns although its not as widely used as potassium formate

 4 Fuel Cell Applications

    Hydrogen Source Ammonium formate has been studied as a hydrogen storage medium Its decomposition releases hydrogen gas which can be used in hydrogen fuel cells for energy generation

 5 Pharmaceutical Applications

    Drug Synthesis As a reagent ammonium formate is used in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical compounds due to its reducing properties

 Properties

    Chemical Formula HCONH

    Molecular Weight 6306 gmol

    Melting Point 116C

    Solubility Highly soluble in water

    Decomposition Decomposes to ammonia NH formic acid HCOOH and carbon monoxide CO at elevated temperatures

 Safety Considerations

    Toxicity Ammonium formate is generally regarded as safe when handled properly but it can decompose into ammonia which is a toxic gas

    Handling Proper ventilation and protective equipment should be used during its handling especially when heating to avoid exposure to decomposition products