Paraformaldehyde (PFA) – A Brief Overview

Paraformaldehyde (PFA) is a polymeric form of formaldehyde (CH₂O) with the chemical formula (CH₂O)ₙ, where nrepresents the number of formaldehyde units linked together. It appears as a white, powdery or granular solid and releases formaldehyde gas when heated or dissolved in water.

Key Properties:

• Appearance: White powder or granules

• Solubility: Slowly soluble in water; requires heating and stirring to depolymerize

• Odor: Pungent formaldehyde-like smell

• Decomposition: Releases formaldehyde gas when heated

Common Uses:

1. Disinfectant & Fumigant – Used in hospitals, labs, and agriculture.

2. Resins & Adhesives – A raw material for producing phenol-formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde resins.

3. Chemical Intermediate – Used in the synthesis of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and coatings.

4. Tissue Fixative – Used in laboratories for preserving biological specimens.