Formic acid (also called methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid. The chemical formula is HCOOH or HCO₂H. 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 anions derived from formic acid are called formates.