Formaldehyde

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The chemical compound formaldehyde (also known as methanal), is a gas with a strong pungent smell. It is the simplest aldehyde. Its chemical formula is H2CO. Formaldehyde was first synthesized by the Russian chemist Aleksandr Butlerov in 1859 but was conclusively identified by Hoffman in 1867.

Related Topics:
Chemical compound - Gas - Aldehyde - Chemical formula - Russia - Aleksandr Butlerov - 1859

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Formaldehyde readily results from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. It may be found in the smoke from forest fires, in automobile exhaust, and in tobacco smoke. In the atmosphere, formaldehyde is produced by the action of sunlight and oxygen on atmospheric methane and other hydrocarbons. Small amounts of formaldehyde are produced as a metabolic byproduct in most organisms, including humans.

Related Topics:
Combustion - Carbon - Forest fire - Automobile - Tobacco smoke - Atmosphere - Oxygen - Methane - Hydrocarbon - Metabolic

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