Formic acid, with the chemical formula HCOOH, is the simplest carboxylic acid and a colorless, pungent liquid with a sharp odor. It is naturally found in the venom of certain ants and serves as a key ingredient in stinging nettle plants. Formic acid is widely used in various industrial applications, including as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed, a coagulant in rubber production, and a powerful descaling agent for cleaning metal surfaces. It also plays a role in textile and leather processing, and as a basic building block in the synthesis of various organic chemicals. Its versatility and reactivity make formic acid a valuable compound with a range of practical uses in different industries.
