Formalin

Description

Formalin · CAS 8013-13-6 · CH2O. UNII 1HG84L3525. Boiling Point: -6 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024); Boiling Point: 214 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024); Boiling Point: -19.1.

Identification

CAS Registry Number	8013-13-6
PubChem CID	712
Molecular formula	CH2O
IUPAC name	formaldehyde
UNII (FDA)	1HG84L3525

Computed Descriptors

Molecular Weight	30.026
XLogP3	1.2
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count	0
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count	1
Rotatable Bond Count	0
Exact Mass	30.010564683
Monoisotopic Mass	30.010564683
Topological Polar Surface Area	17.1
Heavy Atom Count	2
Formal Charge	0

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point	-6 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)
Boiling Point	214 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)
Boiling Point	-19.1
Boiling Point	-19.5 °C
Boiling Point	-20 °C
Boiling Point	98 °C
Boiling Point	-6 °F
Boiling Point	214 °F
Boiling Point	-19.1 °C @760 [mm Hg]
Melting Point	-134 °F (NIOSH, 2024)

Physical description & handling notes

• Solids containing varying amounts of formaldehyde, probably as paraformaldehyde (polymers of formula HO(CH2O)xH where x averages about 30). A hazard to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment.
• Large Crystals; CBI; Dry Powder; Gas Vapor; Wet Solid; Liquid
• Nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor; Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37% formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions contain 6-12 % methyl alcohol. [NIOSH] Sold as water solutions containing 37%, 44%, or 50% formaldehyde; [ACGIH]
• Colorless liquid with a pungent odor; Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37 % formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions contain 6-12 % methyl alcohol; [NIOSH]
• Liquid
• COLOURLESS GAS WITH PUNGENT ODOUR.

Regulatory Status

Regulatory & Food Contact	FDA Substance added to food: FUMIGANT FDA Cumulative Estimated Daily Intake (CEDI): FCS FDA Inventory of Food Contact Substances Listed in 21 CFR: FCS CIR / INCI: Cosmetic ingredients (Formaldehyde) -> CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) CIR / INCI: Preservative
GHS notification summary	0.1% (3 / 6451)

GHS Hazard Classification

GHS notification summary	0.1% (3 / 6451)
Reported hazard statements	H302, H314, H317, H330, H341, H350, H301 (83.1%), H311 (83.1%)

Documented Uses

• Formaldehyde is used predominantly as a chemical intermediate. It also has minor uses in agriculture, as an analytical reagent, in concrete and plaster additives, cosmetics, disinfectants, fumigants, photography, and wood preservation. One of the most common uses of formaldehyde in the U.S is manufacturing urea-formaldehyde resins, used in particleboard products.
• Used in the production of formaldehyde resins, plywood, particle board, paper, and urea-formaldehyde foam; embalmers and laboratory workers may be exposed to levels above 1 ppm; [LaDou, p. 502-3] The major industrial consumers of formaldehyde resins are molded plastic parts, decorative laminates, photographic film, and plywood paneling. High formaldehyde exposures were documented in carpet installers and parquet tile fitters. Formaldehyde also exists as a polymer (paraformaldehyde) and as a trimer (sym-trioxane or
• See 29CFR1910.1048 (Code of Federal Regulations)
• Molding and Core Making [Category: Foundry]
• Metal Machining [Category: Heat or Machine]
• Electroplating [Category: Plate]

Synonyms

formaldehyde; formalin; methanal; 50-00-0; formol; Formic aldehyde; Methylene oxide; Oxomethane; Oxymethylene; Methyl aldehyde; Superlysoform; Lysoform; Fannoform; Formalith; Formalina; Methaldehyde

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the CAS number and molecular formula of Formalin?

CAS 8013-13-6; molecular formula CH2O; molecular weight — g/mol.

What other names is Formalin known by?

formaldehyde, formalin, methanal, 50-00-0, formol, Formic aldehyde.

What is the regulatory status of Formalin?

Documented regulatory listings: FDA Substance added to food: FUMIGANT; FDA Cumulative Estimated Daily Intake (CEDI): FCS; FDA Inventory of Food Contact Substances Listed in 21 CFR: FCS.

Is Formalin classified as hazardous?

0.1% of GHS notifications report no hazard classification (3 of 6451).

What are the key physical properties of Formalin?

Boiling Point: -6 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024); Boiling Point: 214 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024); Boiling Point: -19.1; Boiling Point: -19.5 °C.

Facts on this page are taken from PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) and Wikidata. Grade-specific data — assay, moisture, particle size, packaging, shelf life — is issued per batch on the COA and is not published here.