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Formaldehyde
CAS® Registry Number: 50-00-0
Molecular Formula: CH2O
Molecular Weight: 30.03
Molecular Composition: C 40.00%, H 6.71%, O 53.28%
Linear Formula: HCHO

Synonyms:: Methanal; oxomethane; oxymethylene; methylene oxide; formic aldehyde; methyl aldehyde

Physical Data:: Flammable colorless gas at ordinary temp. Pungent suffocating odor. d 1.067 (air = 1.000). d4-20 0.815. mp -92 degrees. bp760 -19.5 degrees ; bp400 -33.0 degrees ; bp200 -46.0 degrees ; bp100 -57.3 degrees ; bp60 -65.0 degrees ; bp40 -70.6 degrees ; bp20 -79.6 degrees ; bp10 -88.0 degrees. Ignition temp about 300 degrees (572 degrees F). Very sol in water, up to 55%; sol in alcohol, ether. Very reactive, combines readily with many substances, and polymerizes easily. See also Paraformaldehyde.

Boiling Point: (760) -19.5 degrees; (400) -33.0 degrees; (200) -46.0 degrees; (100) -57.3 degrees; (60) -65.0 degrees; (40) -70.6 degrees; (20) -79.6 degrees; (10) -88.0 degrees
Melting Point: -92 degrees
Density: 1.067 (air = 1.000); (20/4-) 0.815

Derivative: Formaldehyde solution

Tradename:: Formalin; Formol; Morbicid; Veracur (Typharm)

Physical Data: A soln of about 37% by wt of formaldehyde gas in water, usually with 10- 15% methanol added to prevent polymerization. This soln is the full strength and also known as Formalin 100% or Formalin 40 which signifies that it contains 40 grams of formaldehyde within 100 ml of the soln. Colorless liq; pungent odor. On standing, esp in the cold, may become cloudy and on exposure to very low temp a ppt of trioxymethylene is formed. When evaporated, some formaldehyde escapes, but most of it is changed to trioxymethylene. It is a powerful reducing agent especially in presence of alkali. In the air it slowly oxidizes to formic acid. d2525 1.081-1.085. One gallon weighs 9.1 lbs. bp760 96 degrees. nD20 1.3746. Flash pt 60 degrees (140 degrees F). pH 2.8-4.0. Misc with water, alcohol, acetone. Keep well closed in a moderately warm place. LD50 orally in rats: 0.80 g/kg (Smyth).
Boiling Point: (760) 96 degrees
Flash Point: Flash pt 60 degrees (140 degrees F).
Refractive Index: n(20/D) 1.3746
LD 50: LD50 orally in rats: 0.80 g/kg (Smyth)
Physical Data: crystals from ethanol, mp 120-121 degrees. uv max (CH3CN): 227 nm (log .epsilon. 3.73).
Melting Point: 120-121 degrees
UV Max: uv max (CH3CN): 227 nm (log .epsilon. 3.73)

Notes:
Caution: Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, nose and throat; lacrimation, burns of the nose and coughing; bronchial spasm, pulmonary irritation. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 90-117, 1990) p 116. May act as a primary irritant on skin causing erythmatous or eczematous dermatitis. Sensitization can result. See Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology vol. 2A, G. D. Clayton, F. E. Clayton, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 3rd ed., 1981) pp 2637-2646. Ingestion may cause immediate intense pain in mouth, pharynx and stomach; nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, abdominal pain, diarrhea; pale, clammy skin and other signs of shock; difficult urination, hematuria, anuria; vertigo, convulsions, stupor, coma; death due to respiratory failure. See Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams & Wilkins, New York, 5th ed., 1984) Section III, pp 196-197. Formaldehyde gas may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen: Seventh Annual Report on Carcinogens (PB95-109781, 1994) p 214. USE: In the prodn of amino, phenolic, and polyacetal resins, wood products, plastics, fertilizers and foam insulation. As a textile finish, preservative, stabilizer, disinfectant and antibacterial food additive.
Therapeutic Category: Solution as disinfectant.
Veterinary Therapeutic Category: Solution as antiseptic; fumigant; has been used in tympany, diarrhea, mastitis, pneumonia, internal bleeding.

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