Potassium formate (chemical formula HCOOK or CHKO₂, CAS number 590-29-4) is the potassium salt of formic acid. It appears as a white, crystalline solid or as a colorless aqueous solution — typically supplied at 50%, 75%, or 96–97% concentration for industrial use. With a molecular weight of 84.116 g/mol, it is one of the most water-soluble inorganic salts available, capable of forming brines up to approximately 75% concentration at ambient temperature.
Ammonium formate (NH₄HCO₂) is the ammonium salt of formic acid. It appears as white monoclinic deliquescent crystals or granules with a slight odor of ammonia. First synthesized in the 19th century, it has evolved from a laboratory curiosity into an essential chemical intermediate used globally.
