Potassium formate

Potassium formate, HCO₂K, HCOOK, or KHCO₂, is the potassium salt of formic acid. This strongly hygroscopic white solid^[2] is an intermediate in the formate potash process for the production of potassium.^[3] Potassium formate has also been studied as a potential environmentally friendly deicing salt for use on roads.^[4][5] It has also been suggested for use in a less corrosive liquid desiccant.^[6] A 52% solution of potassium formate has a freezing point of −60 °C (−76 °F).^[7] Potassium formate brines are sometimes used for heat transfer, despite being much more corrosive than many other liquid coolants, especially to zinc and aluminum but even to many steels,^[8] though some formulations are compatible with aluminum and steels.^[9]

Potassium formate^[1]

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Potassium formate
Identifiers
CAS Number	590-29-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	11054 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.008.799
PubChem CID	11539
UNII	25I90B156L Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6029626
InChI InChI=1S/CH2O2.K/c2-1-3;/h1H,(H,2,3);/q;+1/p-1 N Key: WFIZEGIEIOHZCP-UHFFFAOYSA-M N InChI=1/CH2O2.K/c2-1-3;/h1H,(H,2,3);/q;+1/p-1 Key: WFIZEGIEIOHZCP-REWHXWOFAK
SMILES C(=O)[O-].[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	CHKO2
Molar mass	84.115 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless deliquescent crystals
Density	1.908 g/cm3
Melting point	167.5 °C (333.5 °F; 440.6 K)
Boiling point	Decomposes
Solubility in water	32.8 g/100 mL (0 °C) 331 g/100 mL (25°C) 657 g/100 mL (80 °C)
Solubility	soluble in alcohol insoluble in ether
Basicity (pKb)	10.25
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	5500 mg/kg (oral, mouse)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Since 1995, potassium formate has been increasingly used in aqueous drilling fluids to increase density, stabilize the hole, and improve drilling performance.^[10][11][12]