Applications
In addition, paraformaldehyde is used as a fungicide and bactericide in industries as varied as crude oil production, beet sugar refining, and warehousing. Paraformaldehyde has widespread acceptance as an additive to stop fermentation of the starch on oil-well-drilling muds.
 
Description
nounChemistry. a white, crystalline polymer of formaldehyde, (HCOH)n, from which it is obtained by evaporation of the aqueous solution: used chiefly as an antiseptic.
 
Preparation
To make 200 mL of PFA, add 100 mL of H2O to a 500-mL glass bottle (e.g., Pyrex) containing a stir bar. Heat to 60°C on a magnetic heating plate (keep this temperature during the whole preparation). Add 8 g of PFA powder, then gradually add 100 mL of 0.2 M phosphate buffer and stir until most of the PFA is dissolved.
 
Chemical Properties
Paraformaldehyde exhibits chemical properties related to its role as a polymerization agent, releasing formaldehyde upon heating, and is used as a disinfectant and fixative.
 
Definition
Paraformaldehyde is a polymeric form of formaldehyde, composed of multiple repeating units of formaldehyde molecules, often used as a solid source of formaldehyde in various applications.