Formate

Formate (IUPAC name: methanoate) is the anion derived from formic acid. Its formula is represented in various equivalent ways: HCOO− or CHOO− or HCO2−. It is the product of deprotonation of formic acid. It is the simplest carboxylate anion. A formate (compound) is a salt or ester of formic acid. Formate (IUPAC name: methanoate) is the anion derived from formic acid. Its formula is represented in various equivalent ways: HCOO− or CHOO− or HCO2−. It is the product of deprotonation of formic acid. It is the simplest carboxylate anion. A formate (compound) is a salt or ester of formic acid. Formate is reversibly oxidized by the enzyme formate dehydrogenase from Desulfovibrio gigas: Formate esters have the formula ROC(O)H (alternative way of writing formula RO2CH). Many form spontaneously when alcohols dissolve in formic acid. The most important formate ester is methyl formate, which is produced as an intermediate en route to formic acid. Methanol and carbon monoxide react in the presence of a strong base, such as sodium methoxide: