Formaldehyde
[CAS# 50-00-0]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Aldehyde
• Name: Formaldehyde
• Synonyms: Formalin; Methanal
• Molecular Formula: CH₂O
• Molecular Weight: 30.03
• CAS Registry Number: 50-00-0 (8013-13-6)
• EC Number: 200-001-8
• SMILES: C=O

Properties

• Solubility: 5.702e+004 mg/L (25 °C water)
• Density: 0.7±0.1 g/cm³, Calc.^*
• Index of Refraction: 1.235, Calc.^*
• Melting point: -110.94 °C
• Boiling Point: -19.5±9.0 °C (760 mmHg), Calc.^*, 9.50 °C
• Flash Point: -75.1±13.7 °C, Calc.^*

^* Calculated using Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/Labs) Software.

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS05;GHS06;GHS07;GHS08 Danger
• Risk Statements: H301-H311-H314-H317-H318-H330-H331-H341-H350-H351
• Safety Statements: P203-P260-P261-P262-P264-P264+P265-P270-P271-P272-P280-P284-P301+P316-P301+P330+P331-P302+P352-P302+P361+P354-P304+P340-P305+P354+P338-P316-P317-P318-P320-P321-P330-P333+P317-P361+P364-P362+P364-P363-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H301
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H311
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1B	H314
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H331
Carcinogenicity	Carc.	2	H351
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Germ cell mutagenicity	Muta.	2	H341
Carcinogenicity	Carc.	1B	H350
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	2	H330
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1A	H317
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	1	H370
Flammable liquids	Flam. Liq.	3	H226
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1	H314
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Carcinogenicity	Carc.	1A	H350
Respiratory sensitization	Resp. Sens.	1	H334
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	1	H372
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1C	H314
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H312
Carcinogenicity	Carc.	2	H350
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	1	H330
Substances or mixtures corrosive to metals	Met. Corr.	1	H290
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1A	H314
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400
Flammable gases	Flam. Gas	1	H220
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	2	H371
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	1	H410
Gases under pressure (liquid)	Press. Gas (Liq.)		H280
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	2	H310

• Transport Information: UN 1198; UN 2209

Discovery and Applications

Formaldehyde was first synthesized in the 19th century by Russian chemist Alexander Butlerov in 1859. However, its existence was known much earlier, with its distinctive odor observed during the distillation of wood. The compound was originally named ""formalin"" due to its relationship to formic acid, but was later renamed formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a key intermediate in the production of a variety of chemicals, including resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. It is used to synthesize urea-formaldehyde resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins (e.g., phenolic plastics), and melamine-formaldehyde resins, which are used in adhesives, coatings, and building materials.Formaldehyde-based resins are often used in textile finishing processes to give fabrics wrinkle resistance, crease resistance, and color fastness. Formaldehyde-based crosslinkers help stabilize dyes and increase the durability of textiles.Formaldehyde is a powerful fungicide and is widely used as a disinfectant and preservative in laboratories, medical institutions, and preservation processes. Formaldehyde solutions, such as formalin, are effective in killing microorganisms and inhibiting the decomposition of biological specimens.Formaldehyde-based resins are widely used in the production of engineered wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard. These resins provide structural stability and moisture resistance to wood composites, making them suitable for a variety of construction and furniture applications.Formaldehyde releasers, such as formaldehyde dimethylhydrazone and quaternium-15, are used as preservatives in cosmetics, personal care products, and household cleaners. These compounds help prevent microbial growth and extend the shelf life of consumer products.Formaldehyde plays a role in environmental remediation processes, such as air purification and wastewater treatment. It is used as a disinfectant in water treatment plants and as a precursor in the production of activated carbon, which helps remove pollutants from air and water sources.Despite its widespread use, formaldehyde has raised concerns about its potential health effects. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde vapors can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and can cause breathing problems and allergic reactions.

References

2008. Pulsed Submerged Arc Plasma Disinfection of Water: Bacteriological Results and an Exploration of Possible Mechanisms. Plasma Assisted Decontamination of Biological and Chemical Agents.
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-8439-3_3

2016. Verruca Vulgaris. Dermatopathology.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30006-1_480