AMMONIUM FORMATE
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008Formula : HCCOONH4; MW 63.06; 
Synonym : formic acid ammonium salt
Uses
Ammonium formate is used in chemical analysis to separate base metals from noble metal salts.
Physical Properties White monoclinic deliquescent crystals or granules; density 1.280 g/cm³; melts at 116°C; highly soluble in water (102 g/100 g at 0°C), solubility rapidly increasing with temperature (i.e., 531 g/100 g at 80°C); soluble in liquid ammonia, alcohol and ether.
Preparation
is prepared by the reaction of ammonia with formic acid:
or from methyl formate and ammonia:
Reactions
Thermal dissociation produces ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water; reacts with metal salts forming their formates; oxidized by strong oxidants forming carbon dioxide, water, and oxides of nitrogen.
