Formaldehyde

The chemical compound formaldehyde (also known by IUPAC nomenclature as methanol), is a gas with a strong pungent smell. It is the simplest aldehyde. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure, with a density of 1.03. It is not commercially available as a gas and is normally used in a solution of 37 and 43% formaldehyde, as Formaldehyde gas is readily soluble in water. The water solution is colorless and has a very strong, pungent odor. This product is called by Trade names such as Formalin. Formaldehyde is also soluble in many of the common organic solvents, such as benzene and acetone. Its melting point is -118°C and its boiling point is -19°C in the gaseous form & 97°C in the form of 37% and 43% solution