Pharmaceutical Intermediate Liquid Potassium Formate
CAS NO.: 590-29-4
Molecular Formula: HCOOK
Molecular Weight: 84.12
Character: Colorless transparent liquid.
Usage:
1. It is widely used in oil field industry as drilling fluid with excellent performance;
2. As the camouflage acid in the leather industry;
3. As reducing agent in print and dyeing industry;
4. As road snow melting agent, early strength agent of cement paste, and in carbon black manufacture, leaf fertilizer and other industries.
Package: 1000L IBC tank or Flexibag.
Storage: It should be stored in a dry and ventilative warehouse, kept away from heat and moisture during transportation, unloaded with care so as to avoid damage. Furthermore, it must be stored separately from poisonous substances.
- Product Description
Pharmaceutical Intermediate Liquid Potassium Formate — High-Purity Aqueous Solution for API Synthesis
Pharmaceutical Intermediate Liquid Potassium Formate (CAS No. 590-29-4) is a clear, colourless aqueous solution of potassium formate (HCOOK) with a content of 74% - 75% w/w and density of 1.57 - 1.58 g/cm3 at 20°C. Strict impurity specifications: chloride ≤0.005% heavy metals ≤0.0005% Developed primarily for pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis and API manufacture Produced by Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical Co., Ltd., Potassium Formate Solution Pharmaceutical Grade Manufacturer 30+ years expertise and 150,000 tonnes yearly capacity Provide constant purity, steady concentration and dependable supply for demanding B2B applications.

Technical Specifications
Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
Assay (HCOOK Content) | ≥75% | Titration Analysis |
Appearance | Colorless Transparent Liquid | Visual Inspection |
Hydroxide (OH-) Content | ≤0.3% | Chemical Titration |
Carbonate (CO₃) Content | ≤0.5% | Gravimetric Method |
Chloride (Cl-) Content | ≤0.2% | Silver Nitrate Method |
Density at 20°C | 1.57-1.58 g/cm³ | Hydrometer Method |
pH Value | 7.0-11.0 | pH Meter |
Freezing Point | < -18°C | Differential Scanning Calorimetry |
Molecular Weight | 84.12 | Theoretical Calculation |
Molecular Formula | HCOOK | Chemical Composition |

Product Characteristics
This product is different from the usual industrial grade potassium formate in numerous key points.
Solid potassium formate is highly hygroscopic and tends to clump, therefore you don't need to dissolve it in the liquid form. You have a ready to use reagent which fits directly into your existing batch processing workflow saving you time and effort.
Stringent process controls are used to assure the purity criterion of ≥99% is satisfied. Heavy metal contamination and the chloride interference are two of the most common quality problems that reduce catalyst performance and hence API yields, and are maintained far below the usual industrial limits.
The product is fully liquid in cold reactions and cold chain logistics with a freezing point of below −18 °C. It is quite thick (1.57-1.58 g/cm3) suggesting a concentrated and stable solution that will not stratify or degrade under typical storage conditions.
Another useful advantage is thermal stability. The solution does not decompose at high reaction temperatures, hence is compatible with a broad variety of synthesis conditions. It may also serve as a good hydride donor in catalytic transfer hydrogenation and as a source of potassium ion in nucleophilic substitution processes.
Key Applications in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Synthesis
Pharmaceutical Intermediate & API Synthesis
It is a source of potassium and is employed as a reducing agent in the manufacturing of medicinal products. In catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) it supplies hydride in the presence of metal catalysts such as Pd/C or ruthenium for the safe reduction of nitro groups and alkene functionalities without the risk of explosion associated with pressurised hydrogen gas.
When 1.0% potassium formate is added to the reaction system in penicillin-type synthesis operations, the yield of antibiotic intermediate formation may be increased by 10%~15%. The addition ratio is typically 0.5%-2.0% of the total reaction volume, but should be confirmed by small scale experiments specific to your synthesis method.
Drilling Fluids in Oil Fields
Potassium formate solution is a transparent brine fluid with no particulates. It allows high-density formation pressure control without weighting agents. Potassium ions stabilise water sensitive shale and prevent borehole collapse under complex geological circumstances.
Other Industrial Applications
Besides medicinal application, this substance is employed as a masking acid in leather processing, as a reducing agent in textile dyeing and as an early-strength addition in cement compositions. It is also used to de-ice roads, manufacture carbon black, and for foliar fertiliser application.

Formulation and Usage Considerations
Getting the most from this product depends on matching the addition ratio to your specific synthesis process.
Start with small-scale trials before scaling to pilot or commercial batch size. The recommended range of 0.5%–2.0% by volume provides a broad window, but different reaction systems — particularly those involving sensitive enzyme or catalyst components — may require tighter optimization.
Its liquid nature allows for easy metering and dosage using ordinary chemical piping. Good fluidity down to - 5°C, the form does not crystallise. Pipeline transfer and automated feeding systems are used without any modification.
If your process needs particular pH targets between 7.0 and 11.0, the solution may be changed before delivery. Please contact our technical team to discuss your formulation needs prior to placing your purchase.
Pharmaceutical Intermediate Liquid Potassium Formate vs Other Products
Feature | Our Liquid Potassium Formate | Solid Potassium Formate | Sodium Formate Solution | Chlorinated Solvents |
Concentration | ≥75% | Requires dissolution | 40-50% typical | N/A |
Dissolution Time | Immediate use | 15-30 minutes | Immediate use | N/A |
Chloride Content | ≤0.2% | 0.5-1.0% | ≤0.3% | High chlorine content |
Heavy Metal Impurities | ≤0.0005% | 0.001-0.005% | 0.002-0.01% | Variable |
Freezing Point | < -18°C | N/A | -5 to 0°C | -60 to -20°C |
Hygroscopicity | Stable liquid | Highly hygroscopic | Moderate | Non-hygroscopic |
Environmental Safety | Biodegradable | Biodegradable | Biodegradable | Toxic, regulated |
pH Range | 7.0-11.0 | 8.0-10.0 (solution) | 6.5-9.0 | Acidic (0-3) |
Storage Stability | 12+ months | 6 months (with moisture control) | 8-10 months | 6-12 months |
Cost Efficiency | Moderate | Lower per kg | Lower per kg | Higher disposal costs |

Quality Control and Documentation
Each batch of Pharmaceutical Intermediate Liquid Potassium Formate is tested in-house for assay concentration, density, pH, chloride content and heavy metal levels. Testing is per pharmaceutical industry norms to help your incoming quality inspection.
Available documentation includes:
· Certificate of Analysis (COA) per batch
· Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) in multiple languages
· Third-party testing support upon request
· Conformity documentation for import/export compliance
Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical supports on-site plant audits by local and foreign clients. We are ISO 9001 quality management system certified and have a defined framework to ensure consistent manufacturing and batch traceability.
Certifications & Compliance
Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical Co., Ltd. holds the following management system and product certifications:
· ISO 9001 — Quality Management System
· ISO 14001 — Environmental Management System
· ISO 45001 — Occupational Health and Safety Management System
· Kosher Certification
· Halal Certification (applicable food-grade products)
These certifications show our dedication to quality, environmental responsibility and worker safety – all of which add up to a trustworthy, audit-ready supply chain for your procurement team.

Why Source from Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical
We are a competent provider of potassium formate intermediate with over 30 years experience in this sector. We can do more than basic product supply.
Our 27,000 m2 manufacturing facility has a capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year in both our acetate and formate product lines. This scale provides steady inventory, predictable 5-7 working day lead times and can manage both routine and large order quantities.
You also benefit from:
· 24/7 technical consultation to support formulation questions
· Rapid quotation response within 2 hours for standard inquiries
· OEM labeling and custom packaging in IBC totes or Flexibags
· Multimodal logistics support including FOB, CIF, and DAP terms
· Multilingual documentation for international trade compliance
Our global export experience covers Europe, North America, and Asia, with established freight partnerships to provide competitive and reliable shipping arrangements.

FAQ
Q: What makes this product suitable for pharmaceutical intermediate applications rather than standard industrial potassium formate?
A: This pharmaceutical grade product is manufactured to purity ≥99%, chloride ≤0.005% and heavy metals ≤0.0005%, requirements especially intended to prevent catalyst poisoning and API yield loss. Normal industrial grades do not reach such levels of impurities.
Q: What is the potassium formate solution pharmaceutical grade concentration?
A: The product is given @ 74-75% w/w. This concentration represents a compromise between reactivity and density and stability in handling. We are happy to adapt the concentration to your specifications, please contact us to discuss your needs.
Q: How should the product be stored and transported?
A: Store in a dry, ventilated warehouse, away from heat and moisture. Keep away from harmful chemicals. Do not handle roughly in transit to avoid damage to the container. Because the product’s freezing point is below –18°C, cold-weather logistics are often feasible without specific heating needs.
Q: What is the recommended addition ratio in antibiotic intermediate synthesis?
A: The general recommendation is 0.5%–2.0% of the total reaction volume. In penicillin-type intermediate synthesis, a 1.0% addition ratio has demonstrated yield improvements of 10%–15%. We recommend confirming the optimal ratio through your own small-scale trials, and our technical team can provide support throughout this process.
Q: Can Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical provide third-party test reports or support factory audits?
A: Yes. We support third-party laboratory testing and can provide batch-specific COA and MSDS documentation. On-site factory audits by international customers are also welcomed under our ISO 9001-certified quality management framework.
Q: What packaging options are available for liquid potassium formate?
A: The standard packaging options are 1000 L IBC tanks and Flexibags. Custom packaging formats may be arranged based on your logistics and storage requirements. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs before placing an order.
Contact Us
Ready to source Pharmaceutical Intermediate Liquid Potassium Formate? Send your inquiry to sxzy@sxzhaoyi.com and our team will respond within 2 hours.



