Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Convenient Formaldehyde/Paraform synthesis from Polyoxymethylene?

Merryp - 28-8-2019 at 14:00

Wiki: "Acetal resins are sensitive to acid hydrolysis and oxidation by agents such as mineral acid and chlorine. POM homopolymer is also susceptible to alkaline attack and is more susceptible to degradation in hot water. "

Sounds promising. Sounds like heating in acidic solution, followed by cooling to make paraformaldehyde, would yield a quite pure product.

Question remains at what rate it'd degrade, and if there's a way to speed up the process.

[Edited on 28-8-2019 by Merryp]