Paraformaldehyde
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Description
An amorphous white polymer of formaldehyde. Paraformaldehyde is used as a disinfectant, fumigant, fungicide, and hardener for gelatin. Because paraformaldehyde continually evolves gaseous formaldehyde, it is also used experimentally as a controlled source for formaldehyde exposure.
Synonyms and Related Terms
polyoxymethylene; metaformaldehyde; polyformaldehyde; paraform; formagene; paraffins; Stopmildew (Durban, S.Africa)
Other Properties
Soluble in strong alkalis. Insoluble in ethanol and ether.
| Composition | (HCHO)x |
|---|---|
| CAS | 30525-89-4 |
| Melting Point | 120-170 |
| Density | 1.45 |
Hazards and Safety
Combustible. Flash point = 70C (158F). Toxic by ingestion and inhalation of vapors.
Paraformaldehyde continually evolves formaldehyde fumes.
Mallinckrodt Baker: MSDS
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 342
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- S.R.Trotman, E.R. Trotman, Textile Analysis, J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1932
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "formaldehyde" Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. [Accessed 25 Jan. 2004].
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraformaldehyde (Accessed Feb. 10, 2006)