Sodium Formate, Sodium Formate Hydrate, E237, 141-53-7, 84050-15-7, 84050-16-8, 84050-17-9

Sodium Formate, Sodium Formate Hydrate, E237, 141-53-7, 84050-15-7, 84050-16-8, 84050-17-9

Sodium Formate

1. Product Identity

2. Synonyms and Other Names

Common Names

• Sodium formate

• Formic acid sodium salt

• Formic acid, Na salt

Chemical Names

• Sodium methanoate

• Formic acid, sodium salt (1:1)

Technical Names

• Sodiumformatehydrate (hydrated forms)

• Mravencan sodny (Czech)

• Salachlor

• Sodium formate sigmaultra (high purity)

Database Identifiers

• Hsdb 744

• Ccris 1037

• Einecs 205-488-0

3. Physicochemical Properties

4. Chemical Properties and Behavior

• Deliquescent: Sodium formate readily absorbs moisture from the air.

• Thermal Decomposition: At high temperatures, sodium formate decomposes into sodium oxalate and hydrogen, and eventually into sodium carbonate.

• Aqueous Solution: Its aqueous solution is neutral (pH ~7).

• Complex Formation: Can form complex ions with trivalent metals in solution.

• Reactivity: Incompatible with strong acids (reacts to release formic acid) and strong oxidizing agents.

5. Production Methods

Sodium formate can be produced through several industrial processes:

Method 1: Carbon Monoxide Synthesis (Primary Industrial Method)

Reaction Principle:
Carbon monoxide reacts with sodium hydroxide solution at high temperature and pressure:
CO + NaOH → HCOONa

Process Flow:

1. Gas Generation: Coke is burned with insufficient air in a gasifier to produce a mixed gas containing carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrogen (N₂).

   • C + O₂ → CO₂ + Q

   • CO₂ + C → 2CO – Q

   • 2C + O₂ → 2CO + Q

2. Purification:

   • Cyclone Dust Collector: Removes solid particles.

   • Gas Washing Tower: Water removes additional solid particles.

   • Alkali Washing Tower: Sodium hydroxide solution removes CO₂:

     • CO₂ + 2NaOH → Na₂CO₃ + H₂O

     • CO₂ + NaOH → NaHCO₃

   • Electrostatic Precipitator: Removes remaining solid particles.

3. Compression: The purified mixed gas is compressed to 2.0-2.2 MPa.

4. Synthesis: The compressed gas is heated to 140-150°C and enters a synthesis reactor where CO reacts with NaOH to form sodium formate solution.

5. Separation: The product mixture undergoes gas-liquid separation using a hydrocyclone. Sodium formate solution is collected in storage tanks.

6. Evaporation: The solution is evaporated to 70-80% concentration using heat transfer oil.

7. Centrifugation and Drying: The concentrated solution is centrifuged and then dried with hot air to obtain the final product (approximately 5% moisture).

8. Packaging: The dried product is packaged as finished sodium formate.

Method 2: By-product of Neopentyl Glycol Production

• Produced during the disproportionation process for neopentyl glycol manufacturing.

• Two types:

  • Conventional process: Lower price, black color (often used for formic acid production).

  • Improved methanol process: White color, high content, non-caking, suitable for export.

Method 3: By-product of Pentaerythritol Production

• Produced as a by-product in pentaerythritol manufacturing.

• Two types:

  • Conventional process: Light yellow color, low price.

  • Purified process: White color, high content, suitable for export.

Method 4: By-product of Trimethylolpropane Production

• Formed when excess formaldehyde is oxidized to formic acid during trimethylolpropane synthesis, which is then neutralized with sodium hydroxide.

Method 5: Direct Neutralization

• Formic acid is reacted with sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate:

  • HCOOH + NaOH → HCOONa + H₂O

  • HCOOH + NaHCO₃ → HCOONa + CO₂ + H₂O

6. Quality Specifications and Grades

7. Applications and Uses

Sodium formate is a versatile chemical with numerous industrial applications:

1. De-icing Agent

• Used for de-icing airport runways and roads.

• Effective at low temperatures and less corrosive than traditional chloride-based de-icers.

2. Leather Tanning Industry

• Used in the leather tanning process to stabilize the pH of tanning solutions.

• Acts as a buffering agent and mordant.

3. Chemical Synthesis and Industry

• Intermediate: Key intermediate for the production of:

  • Formic acid (by acidification with sulfuric acid)

  • Oxalic acid (by heating with sodium hydroxide)

  • Dimethylformamide (DMF) and other formamide derivatives

• Reagent: Used as a reagent in various organic synthesis reactions.

• Precipitant: Used as a precipitant for heavy metals; can form complex ions with trivalent metals.

4. Analytical Chemistry

• Reagent: Used for the determination of phosphorus and arsenic.

• Buffer: Has buffering capacity and can correct the pH of strong mineral acids to higher values.

• Complexing Agent: Forms complex ions with trivalent metals in solution.

5. Preservative and Antimicrobial

• Acts as a preservative in some food products (EEC approved, though not in the UK).

• Has disinfectant and astringent properties.

• Used as a silage additive to preserve animal feed.

6. Pharmaceutical Industry

• Used in pharmaceutical manufacturing as an intermediate.

• Has diuretic effects (historical use).

7. Printing and Dyeing Industry

• Used as an auxiliary agent in textile processing.

8. Polymer and Resin Industry

• Used in alkyd resin coatings.

• Additive in adhesives.

• Plasticizer production.

9. Other Industrial Applications

• High Explosives: Component in explosive formulations.

• Acid-Resistant Materials: Used in manufacturing acid-resistant materials.

• Aviation Lubricants: Additive in specialized lubricants.

• Precious Metal Precipitation: Used for precipitating precious metals from solutions.

8. Safety and Handling Information

9. Storage and Handling

• Storage: Store in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Keep containers tightly closed. Protect from moisture.

• Handling: Use appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, protective clothing). Avoid dust formation. Avoid inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.

• Packaging: Typically packaged in multi-layer paper bags or plastic-lined drums.

• Transport: UN 2810, Hazard Class 6.1, Packing Group II for certain forms.

10. Upstream and Downstream Products

Raw Materials (Upstream):

• Carbon monoxide (CO)

• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

• Formic acid (HCOOH)

• Coke (for CO production)

• By-product sources: Pentaerythritol production, Neopentyl glycol production, Trimethylolpropane production

Derived Products (Downstream):

• Formic acid

• Oxalic acid

• Sodium hydrosulfite

• Dimethylformamide (DMF)

• Sodium sulfate

• 4,4'-oxybisbenzenamine

• Asulam (herbicide)

11. Summary

Sodium Formate (CAS: 141-53-7) is the sodium salt of formic acid, appearing as a white crystalline powder with a slight formic acid odor. It is highly soluble in water and has a neutral pH in solution.

It is produced primarily through the reaction of carbon monoxide with sodium hydroxide at high temperature and pressure, or as a by-product in the production of neopentyl glycol, pentaerythritol, and trimethylolpropane.

Sodium formate is a versatile industrial chemical with applications including:

• De-icing agent for airport runways and roads

• Leather tanning pH stabilizer

• Chemical intermediate for formic acid, oxalic acid, and DMF production

• Analytical reagent for phosphorus and arsenic determination

• Preservative and antimicrobial agent

• Additive in polymers, resins, lubricants, and explosives

It is hygroscopic and should be stored in a dry environment. While generally of low toxicity, it can cause irritation and should be handled with appropriate safety precautions. The product is available in various grades (top, first, qualified) with different purity specifications for different industrial applications.