Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde with the chemical formula HCHO. It is a colourless, flammable gas with a pungent smell. Pure gaseous formaldehyde is uncommon since it readily polymerises into paraformaldehyde, a white crystalline solid. Formaldehyde is also known as methanal, methylene oxide and methylaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is found in nature, being produced in small amounts by plants, animals and humans during normal metabolic processes. It is also a by-product of combustion in cars, low temperature incinerators, and wood burning. For commercial purposes it is produced by the oxidation of methanol.
Formalin is a 40% solution of formaldehyde in water, usually with a small amount of methanol added. It is used as an antiseptic, disinfectant and preservative for biological materials.
Formaldehyde is also used in the production of fertiliser, paper, plywood and urea-formaldehyde resins.
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