FORMIC ACID reacts exothmerically with all bases, both organic (for example, the amines) and inorganic. Reacts with active metals to form gaseous hydrogen and a metal salt. Reacts with cyanide salts to generate gaseous hydrogen cyanide. Reacts with diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, and sulfides to generate.

Formate is a common C-1 source in living systems. It is formed from many precursors including choline, serine, and sarcosine. It provides a C-1 source in the biosynthesis of some nucleic acids. Formate (or formic acid) is invoked as a leaving group in the demethylation of some sterols. [2] These conversions are catalyzed by aromatase enzymes.

21 Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid, which are an organic acids with a carbonyl (i.e., C = O) and 22 hydroxyl (i.e., -O-H) functional groups. The chemical formula of formic acid is HCOOH or HCO 2 H and its 23 molecular structure is shown in Figure 1. 24 25 Figure 1. Molecular Structure of Formic Acid 26 27 28