CAESIUM FORMATE Meaning and
Definition
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Caesium formate is a chemical compound with the formula CsCHO2, where Cs represents the chemical symbol for caesium (a soft, silvery-white alkali metal) and CHO2 denotes the formate anion, which is a negatively charged species composed of a carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms and a hydrogen atom. Caesium formate is commonly used in various industrial and scientific applications.
This compound exists as white crystalline solid, soluble in water and some organic solvents. It has a high density and melting point, making it useful in certain specialized laboratory techniques. Caesium formate is often employed as a source of caesium ions due to its high solubility, which enables easy access to this particular metal for a range of chemical reactions and processes.
Caesium formate has gained significance in the oil and gas industry, particularly in the field of drilling fluids. It is utilized as a part of weighted drilling fluids, where its high density helps maintain pressure balance in deep boreholes or during drilling processes. Additionally, caesium formate exhibits compatibility with certain polymers, making it applicable for use in various wellbore conditions.
Due to its unique properties, caesium formate finds applications in several diverse fields. Its dictionary definition encompasses caesium as the metal and formate as the anion, ultimately forming a compound that offers specific advantages in areas such as chemistry, drilling, and other special applications.
Etymology of CAESIUM FORMATE
The word "caesium formate" consists of two components: "caesium" and "formate".
1. Caesium: The term "caesium" was derived from the Latin word "caesius", which means "sky blue". This name was given to the element when its blue spectral emission lines were discovered. The English spelling of "caesium" was adopted by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in the 1940s.
2. Formate: The term "formate" is derived from "formic acid", which is a commonly occurring organic acid. "Formic" comes from the Latin word "formica", meaning "ant", because formic acid was first isolated from the bodies of red ants. The "-ate" suffix indicates a salt or ester formation. Therefore, "formate" refers to the salt or ester derived from formic acid.
