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Monomers & Building Blocks

Formaldehyde

CAS: 50-00-0

Overview

Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0 ), also known commercially as Paraform in its solid polymerized form and listed as E240 in food-related contexts, is a high-demand chemical intermediate.

It is a biocidal agent used across industrial manufacturing and preservation applications. It functions primarily as a crosslinking agent, disinfectant, and reactive monomer in the production of resins and polymers.

In chemical manufacturing, it is the foundational building block for urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins used in adhesives, laminates, and molded components for various industrial sectors.

Textile and leather processors apply it as a crosslinking agent to impart wrinkle resistance, dimensional stability, and wet strength to finished goods during the manufacturing process.

Water treatment operations use it as a biocide to control microbial growth in industrial cooling systems and process water. In personal care, it functions as a preservative in low-concentration formulations.

Pharmaceutical producers rely on it for equipment sterilization and vaccine inactivation processes. Formaldehyde is supplied as an aqueous solution, most commonly at 37% concentration known as formalin.

It is also available in solid polymerized form as paraformaldehyde powder or prills. Technical and industrial grades are standard for resin and chemical synthesis applications across the global market.

Pharmaceutical and reagent grades are available for controlled manufacturing environments requiring tighter purity specifications. These grades ensure compliance with rigorous safety and quality protocols.

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Physical Properties

Melting Point-92 °C
Boiling Point-19.5 °C
Density0.8 g/cm³
Flash Point133 °F
AppearanceFormaldehyde is a colorless, pungent gas or aqueous solution. The Odor Threshold is 0.8 ppm. Also,formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37% formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions (added to prevent polymeri zation) usually contain 6 12% methyl alcohol.
ColorAPHA: ≤10
OdorPungent odor detectable at 1 ppm
FormSolution
Water Solubilitysoluble
Vapor Pressure52 mm Hg ( 37 °C)
Refractive Indexn 20/D 1.377
pHpH (25℃) : 7.0~7.5
Log P0.350

Safety & Handling

Danger GHS05 GHS06 GHS08 GHS07 GHS02 GHS04 Hazard Statements H220 Extremely flammable gas H227 Combustible liquid H280 Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated H301 Toxic if swallowed H302 Harmful if swallowed H311 Toxic in contact with skin H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage H315 Causes skin irritation H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction H318 Causes serious eye damage H319 Causes serious eye irritation H330 Fatal if inhaled H331 Toxic if inhaled H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects H350 May cause cancer H351 Suspected of causing cancer H370 Causes damage to organs H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure H401 Toxic to aquatic life H402 Harmful to aquatic life H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects Precautionary Statements P203 Obtain, consult and follow expert instructions for use. P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking. P222 Do not allow contact with air. P233 Keep container tightly closed. P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P261 Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P262 Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. P264 Wash … thoroughly after handling. P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace. P273 Avoid release to the environment. P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection. P316 Get emergency medical help immediately. P317 Get emergency medical help. P318 IF exposed or concerned, get medical advice. P319 Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell. P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see … on this label). P321 Specific treatment (see … on this label). P330 Rinse mouth. P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse. P377 Leaking gas fire: Do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely. P381 In case of leakage, eliminate all ignition sources. P403 Store in a well-ventilated place. P405 Store locked up. P501 Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations. P264+P265 Wash … thoroughly after handling. P301+P316 Get emergency medical help immediately. P301+P317 Get emergency medical help. P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water. P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. P308+P316 Get emergency medical help immediately. P332+P317 Get emergency medical help. P333+P317 Get emergency medical help. P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention. Get emergency medical help. P342+P316 Get emergency medical help immediately. P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse. P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse. P370+P378 Use … for extinction. P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. P410+P403 Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place. P301+P330+P331 Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower. P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.

Trade & Regulatory

HS Code29121990
UN Number1198
ADR Class3
Packing GroupIII
Storage Class3 - Flammable liquids
WGK (Germany)2

Other Names

Paraform | Methylene oxide | Methyl aldehyde | Methanal | Formol | Formic aldehyde | Formalith | Formaline | E240

Related Products

Chemical Properties

CAS Number
50-00-0
EC Number
200-001-8
Mol. Weight
30.026
HS Code
29121990

Industries

Documentation