Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Paraformaldehyde from 37% formaldehyde

hippo - 9-9-2019 at 05:47

Seeing as I am unable to find an OTC source for paraformaldehyde in the UK, I have been looking for some way to prepare paraformaldehyde from the much more readily available 37% solution of formaldehyde in water. I can't pull a strong enough vacuum to dehydrate the formaldehyde but I have seen in a few places that sulfuric acid will cause polymerisation. However, no specifics are ever given on the latter process so I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with it or any other viable alternatives.
Regards
hippo

Tsjerk - 9-9-2019 at 13:51

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S02552...

Might be helpfull. I haven't read it in detail, but i guess you have to het rid of the methanol and then polymerization is easy.

You can get the full lenght article via sci-hub.tw with the doi number