[Optimist]

I planning to perform formylation of amine using formic acid & acetic anhydride (aectic formic anhydride, AFA). I have  formic acid >95% purity with 2.5% water as stabilizer in the Lab. Is it possible to synthesized AFA using 95% formic acid and acetic anhydride. I have read somewhere but couldn't able to remember the reference that AFA is sensitive to moisture and decompose when exposed to moisture. Formylation of amine can be done using 95% formic acid & acetic anhydride ? if not ? How to purify formic acid by conventional procedure.

I have seen lots of method for removing water from formic acid. Like distillation etc.. but i don't have fractional distillation apparatus under reduce pressure.

Can Phtalic anhydride, anhydrous CuSO4, boric anhydride or other suitable drying reagents would can be utilized to fully remove the water content from the formic acid?

Any insight will be highly appreciated.

[discodermolide]

Just use it, the reagent is in excess anyway which will take care of any water: if water really makes a difference.

[kriggy]

yeah I guess thants why one uses ethylacetate in the reaction?

[Optimist]

Just use it, the reagent is in excess anyway which will take care of any water: if water really makes a difference.

AFA would be stable in the presence of water? or the water don't have effect of AFA?

[Optimist]

yeah I guess thants why one uses ethylacetate in the reaction?

What is the role of ethylacetate in the reaction ?

[kriggy]

yeah I guess thants why one uses ethylacetate in the reaction?

What is the role of ethylacetate in the reaction ?

My bad, I ment acetic anhydride. I think it reacts with water in the mixture to form acetic acid so it keeps the reaction water free