Formic acid Formic acid Formic acid, systematically named methanoic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid. The chemical formula is HCOOH or HCOH. It is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in some ants. The word "formic" comes from the Latin word for ant, "formica", referring to its early isolation by the distillation of ant bodies. Esters, salts, and the anion derived from formic acid are called formates. Industrially formic acid is produced from methanol. Formic acid is a colorless liquid having a pungent, penetrating odor at room temperature, not unlike the related acetic acid. It is miscible
Ketol-acid reductoisomerase Ketol-acid reductoisomerase In enzymology, a ketol-acid reductoisomerase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are (R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutanoate and NADP, whereas its 3 products are (S)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-oxobutanoate, NADPH, and H. This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-OH group of donor with NAD or NADP as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is (R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutanoate:NADP oxidoreductase (isomerizing). Other names in common use include dihydroxyisovalerate dehydrogenase (isomerizing), acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase, ketol acid reductoisomerase, alpha-keto-beta-hydroxylacyl reductoisomerase, 2-hydroxy-3-keto acid reductoisomerase, acetohydroxy acid reductoisomerase, acetolactate reductoisomerase, dihydroxyisovalerate (isomerizing) dehydrogenase, isomeroreductase, and