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Formaldehyde: Basic Information

Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde with the chemical formula HCHO. It is a colorless, pungent gas that is commercially available as an aqueous solution. Formaldehyde has many important uses including as a preservative, embalming agent, and disinfectant. It is also used to manufacture plastics like Bakelite and Formica. Formaldehyde can be produced through various oxidation reactions of methanol, ethanol, ethylene, methane, or carbon monoxide with catalysts like platinized asbestos, potassium dichromate, copper, silver, or palladium. It has physical properties of being readily soluble in water and having a vapor pressure of 52mm at 37°C.

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169 views4 pages

Formaldehyde: Basic Information

Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde with the chemical formula HCHO. It is a colorless, pungent gas that is commercially available as an aqueous solution. Formaldehyde has many important uses including as a preservative, embalming agent, and disinfectant. It is also used to manufacture plastics like Bakelite and Formica. Formaldehyde can be produced through various oxidation reactions of methanol, ethanol, ethylene, methane, or carbon monoxide with catalysts like platinized asbestos, potassium dichromate, copper, silver, or palladium. It has physical properties of being readily soluble in water and having a vapor pressure of 52mm at 37°C.

Uploaded by

abhishekpahwa
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FORMALDEHYDE

Basic Information
Simplest aldehyde

Chemical formula – HCHO

Structure -

Importance
· Formaldehyde (37%) in water solution (formalin) is used as a
o Preservative
o Embalming agent
o Disinfectant
· Large amounts of formaldehyde are used in the manufacture of various familiar plastics:
o Bakelite (the first plastic) is the trademark name for formaldehyde and phenol polymer
o Formica is the trademark name for formaldehyde and urea polymer
· The reaction of formaldehyde with proteins (called amino formylation) leads to its use in
o tanning industry
o for treating various vegetable proteins to render them fibrous.

Physical Properties
Molecular weight is 30.03 g/mol.

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odour at room temperature

Formaldehyde is readily soluble in water at room temperature.

Commercial formaldehyde is produced and sold as an aqueous solution containing 37 to 50 percent


formaldehyde by weight.  

Physical Data
Vapor Pressure - 52mm @ 37° C

Specific Gravity - 1.083

Vapor Density - 1.03


Appearance - colorless liquid

Flash point: 310° F (154°C)

Autoignition Temp: 932° F (499° C)

Extinguishers: Water spray, Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder or appropriate foam.

Special Procedures: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing to prevent contact
with skin and eyes, wear rubber gloves.

Unusual Fire hazards: Emits toxic fumes under fire conditions.

Spill Procedures:
· Evacuate area.
· Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, rubber boots and heavy rubber gloves.
· Cover with lime or soda ash and place in closed containers for disposal.
· Ventilate area and wash spill site after material pickup is complete.
· Combustible Liquid

Disposal:
· Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator
equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
· Observe all federal, state, and local environmental regulations.

Preparation
 
                                    Platinized asbestos
i. 2CH3 OH + O2  ——————————→  HCHO
                                    300 - 400oC         Formaldehyde

                                     K2Cr2O7
ii. CH3 OH + [ O ]  ———————→  HCHO + H2O
                                          H2 SO4
 
                               Cu or Ag
iii. CH3 OH  ———————→  HCHO
                      300 - 400oC       Formaldehyde
                            
                                     Heat
iv. Ca ( HCOO )2 —————→ HCHO
   Calcium formate                 Formaldehyde
 
                                             H2
v. CH2 = CH2 + O3 —————→ HCHO
                                            Pd
                  
                              No - oxide
vi. CH4 + O2  —————→ HCHO
                      Catalyst     Formaldehyde       
 
                     Elec. discharge
vii. CO + H2   —————→ HCHO
                                      Formaldehyde

References

· http://www.referatele.com/referate/engleza/online2/FORMALDEHYDE---Physical-Properties-
Chemical-Structure-Preparation-Methods-Reactions-Usagem-Danger-Ma.php
· http://www.transtutors.com/chemistry-homework-help/aldehydes/preparation-of-aldehydes-
by-oxidation.aspx
·

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