Ammonium formate
| Formula | HCO2NH4 |
| Density | 1.26 g/cm3 (20°C) |
| Molar mass | 63.06 g/mol |
| CAS number | 540-69-2 |
| HS Code | 39021903 |
| EC number | 208-753-9 |
| Storage | at +15 to 30 °C |
| SDS | available |
| Form | solid |
| p H | 5.5-7.5 (63.1 g/l 25°C) |
| Melting point | 119-121 °C |
| Assay | 96.5 to 103.0 | % |
| Description | Conforms | |
| Solubility | Conforms | |
| Identification | Conforms |
Ammonium Formate is the ammonium salt of formic acid with the chemical formula NH₄HCO₂. It is a colorless, crystalline compound that is highly soluble in water and is widely used as a reagent in analytical chemistry and organic synthesis. Ammonium formate readily decomposes upon heating, making it particularly useful in applications requiring volatile buffer components and reducing agents.
🏭⚗️ Synthesis
Ammonium formate is prepared by the neutralization of formic acid with ammonia or ammonium hydroxide under controlled conditions. The resulting solution is concentrated, and the product is purified by crystallization to obtain high-purity ammonium formate suitable for laboratory and industrial applications.
🧪 Applications
Ammonium formate is widely used in analytical chemistry as a volatile buffer in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). It is also employed as a reagent in organic synthesis and catalytic transfer hydrogenation reactions. In biochemical and pharmaceutical laboratories, it is commonly used for sample preparation and analytical method development due to its compatibility with mass spectrometric detection.
⚠️ Safety
Ammonium formate may cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract upon exposure. Heating the compound may release ammonia and other irritating decomposition products. Appropriate laboratory protective equipment, including gloves, safety goggles, and adequate ventilation, should be used during handling.
