30525-89-4
Product Name:
Paraformaldehyde
Formula:
(CH2O)x
Synonyms:
Paraformaldehyde;Polyoxymethylene
Inquiry
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Physical Description | Solids containing varying amounts of formaldehyde, probably as paraformaldehyde (polymers of formula HO(CH2O)xH where x averages about 30). A hazard to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. |
|---|---|
| Color/Form | Nearly colorless gas [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution]. /Pure formaldehyde/ |
| Odor | Pungent, suffocating odor |
| Boiling Point | -6 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2023) |
| Melting Point | -134 °F (NIOSH, 2023) |
| Flash Point | 185 °F (85 °C) (Closed cup) /Gas/ |
| Solubility | Miscible (NIOSH, 2023) |
| Density | 0.815 g/cu cm at -20 °C |
| Vapor Density | 1.04 (NIOSH, 2023) - Heavier than air; will sink (Relative to Air) |
| Vapor Pressure | greater than 1 atm (NIOSH, 2023) |
| LogP | 0.35 |
| Henry's Law Constant | Henry's Law constant = 3.37X10-7 atm-cu m/mol at 25 °C |
| Stability/Shelf Life | On standing, especially in the cold, may become cloudy, and on exposure to very low temperature ppt of trioxymethylene formed; in air it slowly oxidizes to formic acid /40% solution/. |
| Autoignition Temperature | 795 °F (424 °C) |
| Decomposition | Uncatalyzed decomposition is very slow below 300 °C; extrapolation of kinetic data to 400 °C indicates that the rate of decomposition is about 0.44%/min at 101 kPa (1 atm). The main products are carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Metals such as platinium, copper, chromia, and alumina also catalyze the formation of methanol, methylformate, formic acid, carbon dioxide, and methane. |
| Viscosity | 0.1421 cP at 25 °C |
| Corrosivity | Aqueous formaldehyde is corrosive to carbon steel, but formaldehyde in gas phase is not. |
| Heat of Combustion | 570.7 kJ/mol (gas) |
| Heat of Vaporization | 23.3 kJ/mol at 19 °C |
| pH | pH: 2.8 to 4.0 /Formaldehyde soln/ |
| Surface Tension | 27.3797 dyn/cm at 25 °C |
| Ionization Potential | 10.88 eV |
| Polymerization | ... Polymerizes easily. |
| Odor Threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 0.02 [ppm] Odor Threshold High: 1.9 [ppm] Odor threshold from CHEMINFO In HSDB: odor threshold = 0.5-1 ppm Odor threshold estimated at less than 0.5 ppm |
| Refractive Index | Index of refraction: 1.3746 at 20 °C/D /Formaldehyde soln/ |
| Dissociation Constants | 13.3 (at 25 °C) |
| Kovats Retention Index | 229 273 247 247 |
| Other Experimental Properties | Clear, water-white, very slightly acid, gas or liquid. |
| Chemical Classes | Other Classes -> Aldehydes |
SAFETY INFORMATION
| Signal word | Danger |
|---|---|
| Pictogram(s) |
 Flame Flammables GHS02  Corrosion Corrosives GHS05  Exclamation Mark Irritant GHS07  Health Hazard GHS08 |
| GHS Hazard Statements |
H228:Flammable solids H315:Skin corrosion/irritation H317:Sensitisation, Skin H318:Serious eye damage/eye irritation H335:Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure;Respiratory tract irritation H341:Germ cell mutagenicity H350:Carcinogenicity |
| Precautionary Statement Codes |
P210:Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking. P280:Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P301+P312:IF SWALLOWED: call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician IF you feel unwell. P305+P351+P338:IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing. P308+P313:IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention. |
COMPUTED DESCRIPTORS
| Molecular Weight | 30.026 g/mol |
|---|---|
| XLogP3 | 1.2 |
| Hydrogen Bond Donor Count | 0 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count | 1 |
| Rotatable Bond Count | 0 |
| Exact Mass | 30.010564683 g/mol |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 30.010564683 g/mol |
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 17.1 Ų |
| Heavy Atom Count | 2 |
| Formal Charge | 0 |
| Complexity | 2 |
| Isotope Atom Count | 0 |
| Defined Atom Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Defined Bond Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Covalently-Bonded Unit Count | 1 |
| Compound Is Canonicalized | Yes |
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
description
At room temperature, formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell. It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. Formaldehyde is naturally produced in small amounts in our bodies. It is used in the production of fertilizer, paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins. It is also used as a preservative in some foods and in many products used around the house, such as antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics.