Formaldehyde is practically the only aldehyde-containing material used in the synthesis of industrial phenolic resins Let us discuss some uses of formaldehyde.
The uses of formaldehyde in different fields are discussed below –
- Industrial applications
- Disinfectant and biocide
- Tissue fixative and embalming agent
- Identifying alkaloids
- Photography
- Food and other Industry
Molecular formaldehyde. A colorless gas with a characteristic pungent, irritating odor. It is stable at about 150 °C but polymerizes when condensed to a liquid. Now discuss the uses of formaldehyde in the following part of the article.
Industrial applications
- Products generated from formaldehyde include urea formaldehyde resin, melamine resin, phenol formaldehyde resin, polyoxymethylene plastics, and 1,4-butanediol.
- The textile industry uses formaldehyde-based resins as finishers to make fabrics crease-resistant.
- Formaldehyde polymers are used as permanent adhesives used in plywood and carpeting.
- Formaldehyde is also foamed to make insulation or cast into molded products.
- Polyfunctional pentaerythritol, which is used to manufacture paints, is also a precursor of formaldehyde.
- Formaldehyde derivatives include methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, an important component in polyurethane paints and foams.
- Resins made of the explosive phenol-formaldehyde used to make RDX.
- Pentaerythritol is produced by condensation with acetaldehyde and the aldehyde is a chemical required for the synthesis of PETN.
- Formaldehyde is an essential component used in the manufacture of automobile parts, computer chips, plywood, decorative surfaces, furniture, radio, and TV sets.
- Urea-Formaldehyde resin is one of the mainstays in the building and construction industry.
- Formaldehyde resins are used as a binder or adhesive in particleboard and medium-density fiberboard for composite panels.
- Melamine-formaldehyde resin is used in the form of laminates and surface coatings.
- Phenol-formaldehyde resin is used for applications such as insulation binders, wood products, and laminates.
- Some formaldehyde is used in the preparation of Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate which is used in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foams.
- Formaldehyde foam applications include appliances (e.g., refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners), packaging for high-end electronics, and transportation.
Disinfectant and biocide
- An aqueous solution of formaldehyde can be useful as a disinfectant as it kills fungi.
- Formaldehyde is used as an additive in vaccine manufacturing to inactivate pathogens.
- Formaldehyde releasers are used as biocides in personal care products such as cosmetics.
- Aquarists use formaldehyde as a cure for the parasites Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Cryptocaryon irritans.
- Formaldehyde is an antimicrobial agent used to maintain complete animal feeds or feed ingredients.
- Formalin the composition of formaldehyde is used as a disinfectant in industries.
Tissue fixative and embalming agent
- Formaldehyde-based crosslinking is exploited in ChIP-on-chip or ChIP-sequencing genomics experiments.
- Formaldehyde is also used as a denaturing agent in RNA gel electrophoresis, preventing RNA from forming secondary structures.
- A solution of 4% formaldehyde used for fixing pathology tissue specimens at about one mm per hour at room temperature.
What Are Some Common Uses for Sulfur Hexafluoride?
Sulfur hexafluoride applications extend across various industries. This versatile compound is widely used as a dielectric medium in high-voltage circuit breakers, transformers, and switches. Its excellent insulating properties make it optimal for electrical transmission and distribution systems. Additionally, sulfur hexafluoride finds use in the medical field as a contrast agent for diagnostic imaging, particularly in ultrasound examinations. These are just a few examples of the diverse sulfur hexafluoride applications that contribute to different sectors.
Identifying alkaloids
- Formaldehyde and an 18 M (concentrated) sulfuric acid make Marquis reagent—which can identify alkaloids and other compounds.
Photography
- In photography, formaldehyde is used in low concentrations for the process C-41 (color negative film) stabilizer in the final wash step.
- Additionally, in the E-6 pre-bleach phase, to exclude it from the final wash formaldehyde will be applied.
Conclusion
Formaldehyde is practically the only aldehyde-containing material used in the synthesis of industrial phenolic resins. Special resins are made with other aldehydes, for example, acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde, furfural, glyoxal, or benzaldehyde, but these have not achieved much commercial importance.
Hi……I am Biswarup Chandra Dey, I have completed my Master’s in Chemistry from the Central University of Punjab. My area of specialization is Inorganic Chemistry. Chemistry is not all about reading line by line and memorizing, it is a concept to understand in an easy way and here I am sharing with you the concept about chemistry which I learn because knowledge is worth to share it.