Performic acid

Performic acid
Skeletal structure of performic acid
Skeletal structure of performic acid
3D model of performic acid
3D model of performic acid
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Methaneperoxoic acid[1]
Other names
Performic acid
Hydroperoxyformaldehyde
Formyl hydroperoxide
Permethanoic acid
Peroxyformic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.124.147 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 600-819-9
UNII
  • InChI=1S/CH2O3/c2-1-4-3/h1,3H ☒N
    Key: SCKXCAADGDQQCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N ☒N
  • O=COO
Properties
CH2O3
Molar mass 62.024 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless liquid
Melting point −18 °C (0 °F; 255 K)[2]
Boiling point 50 °C (122 °F; 323 K) (at 13.3 kPa; 90% pure acid)[2]
Acidity (pKa) 7.1[2][3]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Performic acid (PFA) is an organic compound with the formula CH2O3. It is an unstable colorless liquid which can be produced by mixing formic acid with hydrogen peroxide. Owing to its oxidizing and disinfecting action, it is used in the chemical, medical and food industries.

  1. ^ Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry : IUPAC Recommendations and Preferred Names 2013 (Blue Book). Cambridge: The Royal Society of Chemistry. 2014. p. 749. doi:10.1039/9781849733069-FP001. ISBN 978-0-85404-182-4.
  2. ^ a b c Elvers, B. et al. (ed.) (1991) Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5th ed. Vol. A19, Wiley, p. 206
  3. ^ F. A. Carroll Perspectives on Structure and Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, Wiley-Interscience, 2010, ISBN 0-470-27610-X p. 416