The Vespiary

The Hive => Chemicals & Equipment => Topic started by: wimpy on May 31, 2004, 07:23:00 PM

Title: Formaldehyde
Post by: wimpy on May 31, 2004, 07:23:00 PM

SWIM is thinking about how to obtain a little Formaldehyde - if he got for example a solution of 13,0 g Formaldehyd, 3,6 g Glyoxal, 3,2 g Glutaral  per 100g, how could the Formaldehyd be separated from the two other ingredients - destillation is the only thing SWIM can think of, but if formaldehyde has a boiling point of around minus 20 degree of Celsius ...
(bp Glutaral 72C, Glyoxal 51C , as far as i know)
Has anyone experiences with something like this (or maybe any idea or suggestion)?
Thanks

Title: You would somehow catch it
Post by: ning on June 03, 2004, 04:36:00 AM

for example, by bubbling it through methanol or water to make formalin solution, perhaps.

Title: thanks!
Post by: wimpy on June 05, 2004, 06:21:00 PM

Thanks ning, that seems to be at least worth a try :)

Title: I can't remember exactly how, but formaldehyde
Post by: Nicodem on June 05, 2004, 07:42:00 PM

I can't remember exactly how, but formaldehyde solution can bee made to polymerize into paraformaldehyde (which is even more usefull, BTW). I think adding a few drops of HCl or H2SO4 should precipitate the paraformaldehide. Filter, wash and dry it. Glyoxal and glutaral might also polymerize (I don't know) but since they are lesser components and probably form more polar stuff I think you can wash them out of paraformaldehyde with water.

Title: thanks!
Post by: wimpy on June 08, 2004, 01:49:00 PM

Thanks Nicodem, should be worth a try, too. I guess that should also work with Formalin Solution (35%) ? Just asking, SWIw managed to obtain about 900ml of that, if i'm lucky he will give me some if i ever decide to work with it  ;)