Paraformaldehyde

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.

FTIR

Synonyms and Related Terms

polyoxymethylene; metaformaldehyde; polyformaldehyde; paraform; formagene; paraffins; Stopmildew (Durban, S.Africa)

Risks

• Combustible.
• Flash point = 70C (158F).
• Toxic by ingestion and inhalation of vapors.
• Paraformaldehyde continually evolves formaldehyde fumes.
• CDH: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soluble in strong alkalis. Insoluble in ethanol and ether.

Composition	(HCHO)x
CAS	30525-89-4
Melting Point	120-170 C
Density	1.45 g/ml

Resources and Citations

• 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" [Accessed 25 Jan. 2004].

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraformaldehyde (Accessed Feb. 10, 2006)