Calcium Formate, Ca(HCO₂)₂

Calcium Formate, Ca(HCO₂)₂, forms anhydrous rhombic crystals of density 2.015 when calcium hydroxide or carbonate is neutralised by formic acid. It can also be obtained by the action of carbon monoxide and steam on calcium hydroxide at 250°-300° C. At higher temperatures, 500°-600° C., calcium formate in the presence of water produces calcium carbonate and hydrogen. It is only slightly soluble in alcohol, but 100 grm. of water dissolve 166 grm. of the salt at 20° C. The solubility increases slightly with temperature. The degree and nature of the electrolytic dissociation of calcium formate in solution have been studied.