Formic Acid: Structure

CH2O2, called Formic Acid, is made up of the elements Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. Carbon is the central atom on which Oxygen and Hydrogen are bonded. Occurring between Carbon and one Oxygen is a double bond, and single bonds occur between Carbon and Hydrogen, Carbon and the second Oxygen and Oxygen and Hydrogen. The molecule's Ax form is Ax3 so the molecule is triangular planar; the angles are 120 degrees.

3D Formic Acid Molecule

Forces Acting Upon This Molecule

London Dispersion- as electrons move around atoms they are temporarily more to one side than another causing a temporary dipole. This force occurs on all molecules.

Dipole Dipole- this occurs between two polar molecules. Because CH2O2 is a polar molecule, this force is acting upon it. Dipole dipole is very weak (although stronger than London Dispersion) and can be broken apart by water.

Hydrogen Bonding- This is a dipole dipole attraction that occurs between the Hydrogen and either the Oxygen, Nitrogen, or Flourine of another molecule. Because CH2O2 contains both Hydrogen and Oxygen, when it bonds with itself this force acts upon it.

Polarity

CH2O2 is a polar molecule because its charges are not evenly distributed. The end with the Hydrogen is positive, while the end with the Oxygen is negative. This difference in electronegativity causes the molecule to be polar.

Bonds:

C-H

2.5 – 2.2 = .3 very covalent, polar covalent

O-C

3.5- 2.5 = 1 moderately covalent, polar covalent

O-H

3.5-2.2= 1.3 barely covalent, polar covalent

Properties of Formic Acid:

molecular formula: CH2O2

 molecular shape: triangular planar

appearance: colorless, fuming liquid

polarity: polar

melting point: 47 degrees Fahrenheit

boiling point: 213 degrees Fahrenheit

Occurs naturally in the stings and bites of insects such as bees and ants but can also be manufactured.

The Versatile Formic Acid

Formic Acid has a wide variety of uses! This naturally occurring molecule can be used as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed. Use it to preserve hay and also to reduce the loss of its nutritional value by slowing down the decay process. As an antibacterial agent it can also kill E. Coli, a very harmful bacteria. If you don't own livestock, and beekeeping is more your style, well then formic acid can be used as a miticide against the varroa mite, which has the largest negative economic effect on the beekeeping industry. Don't own livestock or bees? Don't get discouraged, Formic acid is still the molecule for you! It's used in many cleaning products such as toilet bowl cleaner. Still not convinced that Formic acid is a must buy for you? well then think of your shoes, tires, and hoses, all of these things are made of rubber, which formic acid is a coagulant for! Formic acid is a must buy for everyone. It is a versatile and extremely useful molecule! Buy it now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvYff2_N_6A

One of the many uses of Formic Acid is to protect bee hives from the Varroa mite.