Substance profile
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor.
01 · Identification
What Formaldehyde is
Formaldehyde is a nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. Its molecular formula is CH2O and its molecular weight is 30.026 g/mol. It boils at -19.5 °C, melts at -92 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Formaldehyde
- formalin
- methanal
- HCHO
- Bfv
- F-Gen
- Fannoform
- Floguard 1015
- Fm 282
- Formalith
- Formic Aldehyde
- Formol
- Fyde
- Lysoform
- Methaldehyde
- Methyl Aldehyde
- formaldehyde …%
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH071
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P261, P270, P271, P272, P280, P301, P304, P308, P310, P312, P313, P330, P331, P333
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Formaldehyde properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -19.5 °C (-3.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) | Formaldehyde 37% uninhibited | HSDB | |
| -21.11 °C (-6 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Melting point | -92 °C (-133.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -92.22 °C (-134 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.8 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.08 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | In water, 4.00X10+5 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| In water, 95 weight % at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, miscible at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 1 mmHg | Formalin | HSDB |
| 1 mmHg | CAMEO | ||
| 3890 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 85 °C (185 °F) | Gas | HSDB |
| 50 °C (122 °F) | Formaldehyde 37%, 15% methanol | HSDB | |
| 85 °C (185 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 423.89 °C (795 °F) | HSDB | |
| 430 °C (806 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 7 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 73 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 1.067 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.04 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 1.08 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 0.5 to 1.0 ppm | HSDB | |
| Detection: media= water: 4.99x10+1 ppm | Chemically pure | HSDB | |
| Detection: media= water: 2.50x10+1 ppm | Purity not specified | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 139.2 °C (282.6 °F) | range, midpoint shown | HSDB |
| Corrosivity | Aqueous formaldehyde is corrosive to carbon steel, but formaldehyde in gas phase is not. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Formaldehyde
Storage conditions
... Minimum storage temperature to prevent polymerization range from 83 °F for 37% formaldehyde containing 0.05% methyl alcohol to 29 °F for formaldehyde containing 15% methyl alcohol.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
(Amines) exothermic reaction, (AZO cmpd) exothermic reaction giving off nitrogen gas, (caustics) heat generation and violent polymerization, (dithiocarbamates) formation of flammable gasses and toxic fumes, formation of carbon disulfide may result, (alkali and alkaline earth metals) heat generation and formation of flammable hydrogen gas, (nitrides) heat generation, formation of flammable ammonia gas and violent polymerization, (nitro compd) heat generation, (unsaturated aliphatics and sulfides) heat generation, (organic peroxides) violent reaction, (oxidizing agents) heat generation, fire, and decomposition, (reducing agents) heat generation and formation of flammable gasses. /From table/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
FORMALDEHYDE, SOLUTION, reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, performic acid, perchloric acid in the presence of aniline, potassium permanganate, nitromethane). Reacts with bases (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia), and with nitrogen dioxide (explosive reaction around 180 °C). Reacts with hydrochloric acid to form highly toxic bis(chloromethyl) ether. Polymerization reaction with phenol may develop sudden destructive pressure [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p.168].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Formaldehyde in the storage compatibility matrix →
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