Nickel formate explained

Nickel formate is the nickel salt of formic acid with the chemical formula Ni(HCOO)₂.

Synthesis and structure

Nickel formate can be obtained by reacting nickel(II) acetate or nickel(II) hydroxide with formic acid.^[1]

Ni(OH)₂ + 2HCOOH → Ni(HCOO)₂ + 2 H₂O

Nickel formate can also be synthesized by the reaction of sodium formate with nickel (II) sulphate.

Characteristics

As a dihydrate, nickel formate is a green, odorless, non-flammable solid that is sparingly soluble in water. The compound has a monoclinic crystal structure. The anhydride forms on careful heating at 130–140 °C.^[2] When heated in a vacuum to 300 °C, pure nickel is formed:

Such fine powders are useful as hydrogenation catalysts.^[3]

Use

Nickel formate is used in the production of nickel and other nickel compounds such as nickel catalysts.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Book: Kotz. John. Treichel. Paul. Townsend. John . Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, Enhanced Edition . Cengage Learning . 2009 . 978-0-495-39029-9 . 335 .
2. Book: Jürgen. Falbe. Manfred. Regitz. RÖMPP Lexikon Chemie, 10. Auflage, 1996-1999 Band 4: M - Pk . Georg Thieme Verlag . 2014 . 978-3-13-200031-5 . 2238 .
3. Werner Reutemann and Heinz Kieczka "Formic Acid" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2002, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.
4. Book: Milne, G. W. A. . Gardner's Commercially Important Chemicals Synonyms, Trade Names, and Properties . John Wiley & Sons . 2005 . 0-471-73661-9 . 738 .