Formic acid is an important industrial chemical. It is used as a preservative and antibacterial additive in animal feed. It is also used in the manufacture of dyes, rubber, leather items, and many other products.
In its pure form, formic acid is a strong-smelling, colorless liquid. It is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns if it comes in contact with a person’s skin.
Formic acid gets its name from Formica rufa, the scientific name for a species of red ants. The acid was originally obtained by the destruction and distillation of these ants. Today, formic acid is produced in a number of industrial processes. Formic acid mixes completely with water. It boils at 100.5 °C.
