The Vespiary

The Hive => Chemistry Discourse => Topic started by: L42L on May 17, 2004, 07:34:00 PM

Title: Formalin to para-formaldehyde polymerization?
Post by: L42L on May 17, 2004, 07:34:00 PM

Formalin to para-formaldehyde polymerization?  

how to do.
acid, base, distill, heat, chill.....?
thanks bees.

Title: Formaldehyde polymerization
Post by: Rhodium on May 17, 2004, 09:06:00 PM

Formaldehyde polymerization is acid-catalyzed and takes place spontaneously (with the evolution of heat) in aqueous solutions. Commercial formalin solutions contains methanol as a polymerization inhibitor, so I assume you need to remove it somehow.

Title: thats a start!
Post by: L42L on May 18, 2004, 03:17:00 AM

Cool, now I know it is acid catalyized. I guess one could try hitting it with a bunch of aqueous HCL and see what happins. Any bee have any other thoughts?

Thanks