Introduction of Formaldehyde
In the creation of thousands of products that enhance daily living, formaldehyde is a crucial chemical building element. There is very little to no formaldehyde left in the finished goods that people use. Formalin is the name given to formaldehyde that has been dissolved in water. This formalin is used as a preservative in some food products, a disinfectant in factories, and in funeral homes, among other things.
Formalin Usage in Construction and Building
Producing composite and engineered wood products, which are widely used in cabinetry, countertops, mouldings, furniture, shelves, stair systems, flooring, wall sheathing, support beams and trusses, and many other home furnishings and constructions, require formaldehyde-based resins. Formaldehyde-based glues make excellent bonding agents and provide high-quality, cost-effective performance.
Formaldehyde-based resins are used in a variety of panel and board products by the wood products industry, allowing for the sustainable use of forestry resources and reducing waste. Like composite wood panels, which would otherwise be burned or sent in a landfill, are often created from recovered wood waste.
Formalin in Health Care Applications
In the productions of vaccinations, anti-infective medications, and hard-gel capsules, formaldehyde has a long history of safe use. For instance, when creating the influenza vaccine, formaldehyde is used to inactivate viruses like the influenza virus so that they don't spread disease.
Formalin Usage in Personal Care and Consumer Products
Many consumer goods and personal care products are produced using formaldehyde-based chemistry. The formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in these goods serve as preservatives to kill germs and stop the growth of bacteria and other infections, thereby increasing the shelf life of the product.
Formalin Usage in Automobiles
Vehicles can be made lighter and more energy-efficient with formaldehyde technology. Formaldehyde-based polymers are utilised to create interior moulded components and under-the-hood components that must endure high temperatures. Additionally, these resins are used to create fuel system parts, brake pads, clear coat paints, tire-cord adhesives, and exterior primers that are incredibly durable.
Formalin Usage in Photography
Low amounts of formaldehyde are used as a process C-41 (colour negative film) stabiliser during the final wash stage as well as during the process E-6 pre-bleach step, making the final wash unnecessary.
Important Questions
1. What is formaldehyde?
Ans: Formaldehyde is naturally produced as part of cell metabolism by all living things, including bacteria, plants, animals, fish, and humans. Hundreds of products, including vaccinations and personal care products, are produced using formaldehyde as a crucial chemical building component. But the amount of formaldehyde that is left in the finished goods that customers use is extremely low, if any.
2. Is formaldehyde used in medicine?
Ans: Prior to the vaccination being given to the patient, formaldehyde is used to inactivate the virus or bacteria. Vaccination toxins produced by bacteria, like the one used to create the diphtheria vaccine, can also be detoxified using formaldehyde.
3. Why is formaldehyde used in cosmetics?
Ans: Cosmetic goods often contain preservatives that release formaldehyde, such as imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, and DMDM hydantoin. By gradually releasing small amounts of formaldehyde, they serve to stop microbiological growth and aesthetic degradation.
Conclusion
Formaldehyde that has been dissolved in water is known as formalin. This formalin is employed in a variety of settings, including funeral homes, factories, and as a disinfectant.
Due to its potent electrophilic characteristics, formaldehyde, an easy-to-understand yet crucial aldehyde, is extremely reactive. It is a flavourless, strong-smelling, low-molecular-weight toxic gas that may quickly transition into gaseous phase at room temperature, burn, and dissolve very readily in water. Formaldehyde, which is present in the natural structure of the body, is employed in a variety of settings, including industrial settings, domestic settings, the manufacture of coatings for use in dentistry, and the identification of cadavers in laboratories. In addition to having such a diverse range of applications, it can spontaneously react with different biological components, which might have detrimental consequences on human health.
Practice Question(MCQ)
1. Formalin is _______ solution of formaldehyde in water?
10%
20%
40%
60%
Answer: C
2. Formalin is:
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde+methanol
Formaldehyde+methanol+water
Formaldehyde+water
Answer: D
3. Which of the following is not a use of formaldehyde?
Preservation of biological specimens
Manufacturing of bakelite
Silvering of mirrors
Preparation of acetic acid
Answer: D
FAQs on Uses of Formaldehyde
1. What is formaldehyde, and what is its chemical formula?
Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde, an organic compound with the chemical formula HCHO. It exists as a pungent, colorless gas at room temperature. Due to its high reactivity, it is a crucial building block in the chemical industry and is commonly used in an aqueous solution.
2. What are the most important uses of formaldehyde as per the CBSE Class 12 syllabus?
For students following the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus, the key uses of formaldehyde to focus on are:
- Preparation of Formalin: Its 40% aqueous solution, known as formalin, is widely used as a preservative for biological specimens and as a disinfectant.
- Manufacture of Thermosetting Plastics: It is a primary component in producing resins like Bakelite (by reacting with phenol) and urea-formaldehyde resins, which are used in adhesives, laminates, and moulded objects.
- Synthesis of other Organic Compounds: It serves as a precursor in the industrial production of other important chemicals.
3. What is the difference between formaldehyde and formalin?
Formaldehyde (HCHO) refers to the pure chemical compound, which is a gas at room temperature. Formalin, on the other hand, is not a pure substance but a solution. It is typically a 40% aqueous solution of formaldehyde by volume. While formaldehyde is the reactive ingredient, formalin is the practical form used for applications like preservation and disinfection in laboratories.
4. How is formaldehyde used to produce Bakelite?
Formaldehyde is essential for creating Bakelite, one of the first synthetic plastics. The process involves a condensation polymerisation reaction between formaldehyde and phenol in the presence of an acid or base catalyst. This reaction forms a cross-linked, thermosetting polymer that is hard, heat-resistant, and an excellent electrical insulator, making it ideal for products like electrical switches, telephone casings, and kitchenware handles.
5. What are some common examples of formaldehyde use in daily life?
In daily life, formaldehyde is primarily used in converted forms to manufacture various products. Key examples include:
- Building Materials: It's used to make resins that act as strong adhesives in pressed-wood products like plywood, particleboard, and MDF.
- Automotive Industry: It is used to produce lightweight, durable plastic components for vehicle interiors and under-the-hood parts.
- Healthcare: Besides preserving specimens, it is used in small, controlled amounts to inactivate viruses and detoxify toxins for the production of certain vaccines.
- Textiles: It helps in providing 'permanent press' or anti-wrinkle finishes to fabrics.
6. Why is formaldehyde so versatile and widely used as an industrial chemical?
Formaldehyde's versatility stems from its unique chemical structure and high reactivity. As the simplest aldehyde, its small size and lack of bulky groups allow it to react easily with many other molecules. It is an excellent cross-linking agent, capable of forming stable bridges between polymer chains. This property is vital for creating the strong, durable thermosetting resins for which it is famous. Furthermore, it is relatively inexpensive to produce, making it a cost-effective building block for a vast range of materials.
7. How do the primary uses of formaldehyde differ from those of acetaldehyde?
While both are important aldehydes, their uses differ significantly due to their reactivity. Formaldehyde (HCHO) is primarily used for producing polymers and resins like Bakelite and for preservation (as formalin). In contrast, acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) is mainly used as an intermediate in the synthesis of other organic chemicals, such as acetic acid, ethyl acetate, and pyridine derivatives. The presence of alpha-hydrogens in acetaldehyde allows it to undergo reactions like the aldol condensation, leading to different product pathways compared to formaldehyde.
8. What is the role of formaldehyde in laboratory settings?
In laboratories, formaldehyde's primary role is as a preservative and sterilising agent, almost always in the form of formalin. Its ability to cross-link proteins makes it an excellent tissue fixative, preserving cellular structure in biological specimens for microscopic examination. It is also used as a general disinfectant to sterilise equipment and surfaces because of its effectiveness in killing most bacteria and fungi.
