Formic Acid as an Inexpensive and Convenient Reagent

Formic acid (HCOOH) as an inexpensive and versatile reagent has gained broad attention in the field of green synthesis and chemical industry. Formic acid acts not only as a convenient and less toxic CO surrogate, but also as an excellent formylative reagent, C1 source and hydrogen donor in organic reactions. Over the past decades, many exciting contributions have been made which have helped chemists to understand the mechanisms of these reactions. The review will examine recent advances in the utilization of formic acid as an economical, practical and multipurpose reactant in synthetic transformations.