formaldehyde
/fɔ:'mældihaid/
Definition
Noun: 1. A colorless, pungent-smelling, poisonous gas: Formaldehyde is a simple organic compound with the chemical formula CH₂O. It is highly reactive and readily dissolves in water. 2. A chemical made by oxidizing methanol: It is produced industrially through the catalytic oxidation of methanol.
Usage and Examples
- Formaldehyde is used as a disinfectant and preservative in laboratories and mortuaries.
- Many building materials, such as plywood and particleboard, can release formaldehyde into the air.
- The strong odor in some new furniture is often due to formaldehyde emissions.
Advanced Usage
- Formaldehyde solution (Formalin): When dissolved in water (typically at 37-40% concentration), formaldehyde is known as formalin, which is commonly used for preserving biological specimens.
- The tissue sample was stored in a jar of formaldehyde solution.
Variants and Related Words
- Formalin (noun): An aqueous solution of formaldehyde used as a disinfectant and preservative.
- Methanal (noun): The systematic IUPAC name for formaldehyde.
Synonyms
- Methanal (scientific name)
- Formalin (when in aqueous solution)
Notes on Meaning
- The primary meaning refers to the pure chemical compound (CH₂O), which is a gas. In common usage, the term often refers to its solutions (like formalin) or its presence as an emission from materials.
Noun
-
a colorless poisonous gas; made by the oxidation of methanol
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