Formic acid

• Formula: CH₂O₂
• Molecular weight: 46.0254
• IUPAC Standard InChI: InChI=1S/CH2O2/c2-1-3/h1H,(H,2,3) Copy

  
• IUPAC Standard InChIKey: BDAGIHXWWSANSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copy
• CAS Registry Number: 64-18-6
• Chemical structure:
  This structure is also available as a 2d Mol file or as a computed 3d SD file
  The 3d structure may be viewed using Java or Javascript.
• Other names: Methanoic acid; Aminic acid; Bilorin; Collo-Bueglatt; Collo-Didax; Formisoton; Formylic acid; Hydrogen carboxylic acid; Myrmicyl; HCOOH; Acide formique; Acido formico; Ameisensaeure; Kwas metaniowy; Kyselina mravenci; Mierenzuur; Rcra waste number U123; UN 1779; Formira; Add-F; Amasil
• Permanent link for this species. Use this link for bookmarking this species for future reference.
• Information on this page:
  • Gas phase thermochemistry data
  • Gas phase ion energetics data
  • Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels
  • Gas Chromatography
  • References
  • Notes
• Other data available:
  • Condensed phase thermochemistry data
  • Phase change data
  • Reaction thermochemistry data
  • Henry's Law data
  • Ion clustering data
  • IR Spectrum
  • Mass spectrum (electron ionization)
• Data at other public NIST sites:
  • Computational Chemistry Comparison and Benchmark Database
  • Gas Phase Kinetics Database
• Options:
  • Switch to calorie-based units

Data at NIST subscription sites:

• NIST / TRC Web Thermo Tables, "lite" edition (thermophysical and thermochemical data)
• NIST / TRC Web Thermo Tables, professional edition (thermophysical and thermochemical data)

NIST subscription sites provide data under the NIST Standard Reference Data Program, but require an annual fee to access. The purpose of the fee is to recover costs associated with the development of data collections included in such sites. Your institution may already be a subscriber. Follow the links above to find out more about the data in these sites and their terms of usage.

Gas phase thermochemistry data

Go To: Top, Gas phase ion energetics data, Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels, Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
ALS - Hussein Y. Afeefy, Joel F. Liebman, and Stephen E. Stein
DRB - Donald R. Burgess, Jr.
GT - Glushko Thermocenter, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Constant pressure heat capacity of gas

Gas phase ion energetics data

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels, Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data evaluated as indicated in comments:
HL - Edward P. Hunter and Sharon G. Lias
L - Sharon G. Lias

Data compiled as indicated in comments:
B - John E. Bartmess
LBLHLM - Sharon G. Lias, John E. Bartmess, Joel F. Liebman, John L. Holmes, Rhoda D. Levin, and W. Gary Mallard
LLK - Sharon G. Lias, Rhoda D. Levin, and Sherif A. Kafafi
RDSH - Henry M. Rosenstock, Keith Draxl, Bruce W. Steiner, and John T. Herron
LL - Sharon G. Lias and Joel F. Liebman

Ionization energy determinations

Appearance energy determinations

De-protonation reactions

 +  =

By formula: CHO₂^- + H⁺ = CH₂O₂

Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Gas Chromatography, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled by: Takehiko Shimanouchi

Symmetry:   C_s     Symmetry Number σ = 1

Source: Shimanouchi, 1972

Notes

Gas Chromatography

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels, References, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Data compiled by: NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center, William E. Wallace, director

Van Den Dool and Kratz RI, non-polar column, temperature ramp

View large format table.

Van Den Dool and Kratz RI, non-polar column, custom temperature program

View large format table.

Van Den Dool and Kratz RI, polar column, temperature ramp

View large format table.

Van Den Dool and Kratz RI, polar column, custom temperature program

View large format table.

Normal alkane RI, non-polar column, temperature ramp

View large format table.

Normal alkane RI, non-polar column, custom temperature program

View large format table.

Normal alkane RI, polar column, temperature ramp

View large format table.

Normal alkane RI, polar column, custom temperature program

View large format table.

References

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels, Gas Chromatography, Notes

Data compilation copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Guthrie, 1974
Guthrie, J.P., Hydration of carboxamides. Evaluation of the free energy change for addition of water to acetamide and formamide derivatives, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1974, 96, 3608-3615. [all data]

Lebedeva, 1964
Lebedeva, N.D., Heats of combustion of monocarboxylic acids, Russ. J. Phys. Chem. (Engl. Transl.), 1964, 38, 1435-1437. [all data]

Konicek and Wadso, 1970
Konicek, J.; Wadso, I., Enthalpies of vaporization of organic compounds. VII. Some carboxylic acids, Acta Chem. Scand., 1970, 24, 2612-26. [all data]

Sinke, 1959
Sinke, G.C., The heat of formation of formic acid, J. Phys. Chem., 1959, 63, 2063. [all data]

Millikan R.C., 1957
Millikan R.C., Infrared spectra and vibrational assignment of monomeric formic acid, J. Chem. Phys., 1957, 27, 1305-1308. [all data]

Halford J.O., 1942
Halford J.O., Entropy of the monomeric forms of formic acid and acetic acid, J. Chem. Phys., 1942, 10, 582-584. [all data]

Waring W., 1952
Waring W., Some thermodynamic properties of formic acid, Chem. Rev., 1952, 51, 171-183. [all data]

Chao J., 1986
Chao J., Thermodynamic properties of key organic oxygen compounds in the carbon range C1 to C4. Part 2. Ideal gas properties, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1986, 15, 1369-1436. [all data]

Fukushima K., 1971
Fukushima K., Normal coordinate treatment and thermodynamic properties of the cis-trans isomers of formic acid and its deutero-analog, J. Chem. Thermodyn., 1971, 3, 553-562. [all data]

East A.L.L., 1997
East A.L.L., Ab initio statistical thermodynamical models for the computation of third-law entropies, J. Chem. Phys., 1997, 106, 6655-6674. [all data]

Green J.H.S., 1961
Green J.H.S., Thermodynamic properties of organic oxygen compounds. Part III. Formic acid, J. Chem. Soc., 1961, 2241-2242. [all data]

Gurvich, Veyts, et al., 1989
Gurvich, L.V.; Veyts, I.V.; Alcock, C.B., Thermodynamic Properties of Individual Substances, 4th ed.; Vols. 1 and 2, Hemisphere, New York, 1989. [all data]

Chao J., 1978
Chao J., Ideal gas thermodynamic properties of methanoic and ethanoic acids, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1978, 7, 363-377. [all data]

Hunter and Lias, 1998
Hunter, E.P.; Lias, S.G., Evaluated Gas Phase Basicities and Proton Affinities of Molecules: An Update, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1998, 27, 3, 413-656, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.556018 . [all data]

Traeger, 1985
Traeger, J.C., Heat of formation for the formyl cation by photoionization mass spectrometry, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Processes, 1985, 66, 271. [all data]

Bell, Ng, et al., 1975
Bell, S.; Ng, T.L.; Walsh, A.D., Vacuum ultraviolet spectra of formic and acetic acids, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans. 2, 1975, 71, 393. [all data]

Warneck, 1974
Warneck, P., Heat of formation of the HCO radical, Z. Naturforsch. A:, 1974, 29, 350. [all data]

Knowles and Nicholson, 1974
Knowles, D.J.; Nicholson, A.J.C., Ionization energies of formic and acetic acid monomers, J. Chem. Phys., 1974, 60, 1180. [all data]

Watanabe, Yokoyama, et al., 1973
Watanabe, I.; Yokoyama, Y.; Ikeda, S., Vibrational structures in the photoelectron spectrum of formic acid, Chem. Phys. Lett., 1973, 19, 406. [all data]

Watanabe, Yokoyama, et al., 1973, 2
Watanabe, I.; Yokoyama, Y.; Ikeda, S., Lone pair ionization potentials of carboxylic acids determined by He(I) photoelectron spectroscopy, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1973, 46, 1959. [all data]

Thomas, 1972
Thomas, R.K., Photoelectron spectroscopy of hydrogen-bonded systems: spectra of monomers, dimers and mixed complexes of carboxylic acides, Proc. R. Soc. London A:, 1972, 331, 249. [all data]

Matthews and Warneck, 1969
Matthews, C.S.; Warneck, P., Heats of formation of CHO⁺ and C₃H₃⁺ by photoionization, J. Chem. Phys. 5, 1969, 1, 854. [all data]

Brundle, Turner, et al., 1969
Brundle, C.R.; Turner, D.W.; Robin, M.B.; Basch, H., Photoelectron spectroscopy of simple amides and carboxylic acids, Chem. Phys. Lett., 1969, 3, 292. [all data]

Vilesov, 1960
Vilesov, F.I., The photoionization of vapors of compounds whose molecules contain carbonyl groups, Dokl. Phys. Chem., 1960, 132, 521, In original 1332. [all data]

Watanabe, 1957
Watanabe, K., Ionization potentials of some molecules, J. Chem. Phys., 1957, 26, 542. [all data]

Price and Evans, 1937
Price, W.C.; Evans, W.M., The absorption spectrum of formic acid in the vacuum ultra-violet, Proc. Roy. Soc. (London), 1937, A162, 110. [all data]

Von Niessen, Bieri, et al., 1980
Von Niessen, W.; Bieri, G.; Asbrink, L., 30.4 nm He(II) photoelectron spectra of organic molecules. Part III. Oxo-compounds (C,H,O), J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1980, 21, 175. [all data]

Benoit and Harrison, 1977
Benoit, F.M.; Harrison, A.G., Predictive value of proton affinity. Ionization energy correlations involving oxygenated molecules, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1977, 99, 3980. [all data]

Rao, 1975
Rao, C.N.R., Lone-pair ionization bands of chromophores in the photoelectron spectra of organic molecules, Indian J. Chem., 1975, 13, 950. [all data]

Kimura, Katsumata, et al., 1975
Kimura, K.; Katsumata, S.; Yamazaki, T.; Wakabayashi, H., UV photoelectron spectra and sum rule consideration; out-of-plane orbitals of unsaturated compounds with planar-skeleton structure, J. Electron Spectrosc. Relat. Phenom., 1975, 6, 41. [all data]

Stepanov, Perov, et al., 1988
Stepanov, A.N.; Perov, A.A.; Kabanov, S.P.; Simonov, A.P., Formation of long-lived, highly excited atoms during dissociative excitation of CH₃CN, CH₃CH₂OH, CH₃COOH, HCOOH, and C₄H₄S molecules on electron impact, Russ. J. Phys. Chem., 1988, 22, 81. [all data]

Golovin, Akopyan, et al., 1979
Golovin, A.V.; Akopyan, M.E.; Vilesov, F.I.; Sergeev, Y.L., Ion-electron coincidence study of the photoionization of formic and acetic acids, Khim. Vys. Energ., 1979, 13, 200. [all data]

Akopyan and Villem, 1976
Akopyan, M.E.; Villem, Ya.Ya., Ion-molecule reactions in the photoionization of formic and acetic acid vapors, High Energy Chem., 1976, 10, 24. [all data]

Kim, Bradforth, et al., 1995
Kim, E.H.; Bradforth, S.E.; Arnold, D.W.; Metz, R.B.; Neumark, D.M., Study of HCO2 and DCO2 by Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectroscopy, J. Chem. Phys., 1995, 103, 18, 7801, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.470196 . [all data]

Caldwell, Renneboog, et al., 1989
Caldwell, G.; Renneboog, R.; Kebarle, P., Gas Phase Acidities of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids, Based on Measurements of Proton Transfer Equilibria, Can. J. Chem., 1989, 67, 4, 661, https://doi.org/10.1139/v89-092 . [all data]

Fujio, McIver, et al., 1981
Fujio, M.; McIver, R.T., Jr.; Taft, R.W., Effects on the acidities of phenols from specific substituent-solvent interactions. Inherent substituent parameters from gas phase acidities, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1981, 103, 4017. [all data]

Cumming and Kebarle, 1978
Cumming, J.B.; Kebarle, P., Summary of gas phase measurements involving acids AH. Entropy changes in proton transfer reactions involving negative ions. Bond dissociation energies D(A-H) and electron affinities EA(A), Can. J. Chem., 1978, 56, 1. [all data]

Muftakhov, Vasil'ev, et al., 1999
Muftakhov, M.V.; Vasil'ev, Y.V.; Mazunov, V.A., Determination of electron affinity of carbonyl radicals by means of negative ion mass spectrometry, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom., 1999, 13, 12, 1104-1108, https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0231(19990630)13:12<1104::AID-RCM619>3.0.CO;2-C . [all data]

Shimanouchi, 1972
Shimanouchi, T., Tables of Molecular Vibrational Frequencies Consolidated Volume I, National Bureau of Standards, 1972, 1-160. [all data]

Helmig, Pollock, et al., 1996
Helmig, D.; Pollock, W.; Greenberg, J.; Zimmerman, P., Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of volatile organic trace gases at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, J. Geophys. Res., 1996, 101, D9, 14697-14710, https://doi.org/10.1029/96JD00212 . [all data]

Peng, Yang, et al., 1991
Peng, C.T.; Yang, Z.C.; Maltby, D., Prediction of retention indexes. III. Silylated derivatives of polar compounds, J. Chromatogr., 1991, 586, 1, 113-129, https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(91)80029-G . [all data]

Peng, Ding, et al., 1988
Peng, C.T.; Ding, S.F.; Hua, R.L.; Yang, Z.C., Prediction of Retention Indexes I. Structure-Retention Index Relationship on Apolar Columns, J. Chromatogr., 1988, 436, 137-172, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(00)94575-8 . [all data]

Mahajan, Goddik, et al., 2004
Mahajan, S.S.; Goddik, L.; Qian, M.C., Aroma Compounds in Sweet Whey Powder, J. Dairy Sci., 2004, 87, 12, 4057-4063, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)73547-X . [all data]

Natali N., Chinnici F., et al., 2006
Natali N.; Chinnici F.; Riponi C., Characterization of volatiles in extracts from oak chips obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), J. Agric. Food Chem., 2006, 54, 21, 8190-8198, https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0614387 . [all data]

Yang, Chyau, et al., 1998
Yang, M.-S.; Chyau, C.-C.; Horng, D.-T.; Yang, J.-S., Effects of Irradiation and Drying on Volatile Components of Fresh Shiitake edodes (Lentinus Sing), J. Sci. Food Agric., 1998, 76, 1, 72-76, https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0010(199801)76:1<72::AID-JSFA921>3.0.CO;2-0 . [all data]

Castel, Fernandez, et al., 2006
Castel, C.; Fernandez, X.; Lizzani-Cuvelier, L.; Loiseau, A.-M.; Perichet, C.; Delbecque, C.; Arnaudo, J.-F., Volatile constituents of benzoin gums: Siam and Sumatra, part 2. Study of headspace sampling methods, Flavour Fragr. J., 2006, 21, 1, 59-67, https://doi.org/10.1002/ffj.1502 . [all data]

Zenkevich, Korolenko, et al., 1995
Zenkevich, I.G.; Korolenko, L.I.; Khralenkova, N.B., Desorption with solvent vapor as a method of sample preparation in the sorption preconcentration of organic-compounds from the air of a working area and from industrial-waste gases, J. Appl. Chem. USSR (Engl. Transl.), 1995, 50, 10, 937-944. [all data]

Guo, Wu, et al., 2008
Guo, L.; Wu, J.-Z.; Han, T.; Cao, T.; Rahman, K.; Qin, L.-P., Chemical composition, antifungal and antitumor properties of ether extracts of Scapania verrucosa Heeg. and its endophytic fungus Chaetomium fusiforme, Molecules, 2008, 13, 9, 2114-2125, https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13092114 . [all data]

Prososki, Etzel, et al., 2007
Prososki, R.A.; Etzel, M.R.; Rankin, S.A., Solvent type affects the number, distribution, and relative quantities of volatile compounds found in sweet whey powder, J. Dairy Sci., 2007, 90, 2, 523-531, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(07)71535-7 . [all data]

Vichi, Castellote, et al., 2003
Vichi, S.; Castellote, A.I.; Pizzale, L.; Conte, L.S.; Buxaderas, S.; López-Tamames, E., Analysis of virgin olive oil volatile compounds by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometric and flame ionization detection, J. Chromatogr. A, 2003, 983, 1-2, 19-33, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9673(02)01691-6 . [all data]

Sekiwa, Kubota, et al., 1997
Sekiwa, Y.; Kubota, K.; Kobayashi, A., Characteristic flavor components in the brew of cooked clam (Meretrix lusoria) and the effect of storage on flavor formation, J. Agric. Food Chem., 1997, 45, 3, 826-830, https://doi.org/10.1021/jf960433e . [all data]

Umano, Hagi, et al., 1995
Umano, K.; Hagi, Y.; Nakahara, K.; Shyoji, A.; Shibamoto, T., Volatile chemicals formed in the headspace of a heated D-glucose/L-cysteine Maillard model system, J. Agric. Food Chem., 1995, 43, 8, 2212-2218, https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00056a046 . [all data]

Vernin, Metzger, et al., 1988
Vernin, G.; Metzger, J.; Obretenov, T.; Suon, K.-N.; Fraisse, D., GC/MS (EI,PCI,SIM)-data bank analysis of volatile compounds arising from thermal degradation of glucose-valine amadori intermediates in Flavors and Fragrances: A World Perspective. Proceedings of the 10th International Congress of Essential Oils, Fragrances and Flavors, Lawrence,B.M.; Mookherjee,B.D.; Willis,B.J., ed(s)., Elsevier, New York, 1988, 999-1028. [all data]

Gonzalez-Rios, Suarez-Quiroz, et al., 2007
Gonzalez-Rios, O.; Suarez-Quiroz, M.L.; Boulanger, R.; Barel, M.; Guyot, B.; Guiraud, J.-P.; Schorr-Galindo, S., Impact of ecological post-harvest processing of coffee aroma: II Roasted coffee., J. Food Composition Analysis, 2007, 20, 3-4, 297-307, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2006.12.004 . [all data]

Muresan, Eillebrecht, et al., 2000
Muresan, S.; Eillebrecht, M.A.J.L.; de Rijk, T.C.; de Jonge, H.G.; Leguijt, T.; Nijhuis, H.H., Aroma profile development of intermediate chocolate products. I. Volatile constituents of block-milk, Food Chem., 2000, 68, 2, 167-174, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(99)00171-5 . [all data]

Notes

Go To: Top, Gas phase thermochemistry data, Gas phase ion energetics data, Vibrational and/or electronic energy levels, Gas Chromatography, References

• Symbols used in this document:
  

  AE	Appearance energy
  Cp,gas	Constant pressure heat capacity of gas
  IE (evaluated)	Recommended ionization energy
  S°gas	Entropy of gas at standard conditions
  ΔfH°gas	Enthalpy of formation of gas at standard conditions
  ΔrG°	Free energy of reaction at standard conditions
  ΔrH°	Enthalpy of reaction at standard conditions

• Data from NIST Standard Reference Database 69: NIST Chemistry WebBook
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses its best efforts to deliver a high quality copy of the Database and to verify that the data contained therein have been selected on the basis of sound scientific judgment. However, NIST makes no warranties to that effect, and NIST shall not be liable for any damage that may result from errors or omissions in the Database.
• Customer support for NIST Standard Reference Data products.