Specialty Additives Available — Bulk Only

Formaldehyde (Formalin)

CAS 50-00-0 · Formula CH2O · MW 30.026 g/mol

A high-volume C1 building block anchoring resin manufacture and a broad range of industrial processing. Its predominant use is as a chemical intermediate, notably in urea-formaldehyde and related resins, with further uses as a disinfectant and fumigant and in wood preservation, leather tanning and textile finishing.

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UN Number
UN 2209
Hazard Class
Class 8
HS Code
2912.11
At a Glance
Material Family
Specialty Additives
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Biocidal Action · Preservation
Solubility
Miscible
Functional Roles
FORMALDEHYDE
ANTIMICROBIALDENATURANTPRESERVATIVE
Applications & Use Cases
  • Resin manufacture: feedstock for urea-, phenol- and melamine-formaldehyde resins
  • Disinfectant and biocide: industrial disinfectant and fumigant
  • Preservation: wood and specimen preservation
  • Leather and textiles: tanning and textile finishing
Physical Properties
Melting Point
-92 °C
Boiling Point
-21 °C at 760 mmHg
Density
0.815 at -20 °C anhydrous form
Solubility
Miscible
Vapor Pressure
> 1 atm
Flash Point
60 °C for 40% solution
pH
pH: 2.8 to 4.0 /Formaldehyde soln/
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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DOT / UN Transport Classification
DOT hazard class 8 placard
UN / DOT NumberUN 2209
Hazard Class / DivisionClass 8
Packing GroupIII
Proper Shipping NameFormaldehyde solutions (with not less than 25% formaldehyde)

Transport classification per the UN Model Regulations / 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. Confirm against the grade-specific SDS (Section 14) before shipping.

HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
2912 . 11
Chapter 29
Organic chemicals
Heading 29.12
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 2912.11
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
50-00-0
Molecular Formula
CH2O
Molecular Weight
30.026 g/mol
IUPAC Name
formaldehyde
INCI Name
FORMALDEHYDE
PubChem CID
InChI Key
WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Synonyms & Trade Names
formaldehyde formalin methanal formol Formic aldehyde Methylene oxide Oxomethane Oxymethylene Methyl aldehyde Superlysoform Lysoform Fannoform Formalith Formalina Methaldehyde Oxomethylene Morbicid Karsan Formaldehyd
Full Description

Formaldehyde, supplied as formalin (aqueous solution), is one of the most important industrial chemical intermediates — the basis of formaldehyde resins and a building block for many derivatives. Identity: CAS 50-00-0.

What it is

Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0, CH2O) is most often supplied as formalin, an aqueous solution (commonly ~37%) usually stabilized with methanol. It is a highly reactive aldehyde and a cornerstone industrial feedstock.

Industrial uses

Its predominant use is in formaldehyde resins — urea-formaldehyde (UF), phenol-formaldehyde (PF) and melamine-formaldehyde (MF) — for wood adhesives, laminates, moulding compounds, insulation and coatings. It is also a chemical intermediate for polyols, MDI/methylene chemistry, chelants, and many derivatives, and is used in industrial biocide and preservation applications.

Resin partners: melamine and melamine-formaldehyde resin.

Forms, grades and handling

Formaldehyde is supplied as formalin solution (e.g. 37%, methanol-stabilized) in drums, IBCs and bulk; specify concentration and stabilizer. Formaldehyde is a regulated substance with significant hazards; handling, exposure and regulatory compliance are critical — consult the current SDS and confirm regulatory status for your jurisdiction. Properties are typical reference values; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you buy governs. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, and confirm regulatory status and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Each lot ships with CoA, TDS and SDS.

Bulk supply and RFQ

RawSource sources Formaldehyde direct from producers in bulk, with CoA, TDS and SDS per lot. Tell us the grade, particle size or specification and quantity you need, and we will quote it. Products are sold for industrial and professional use.

Typical Properties

Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.

Property Typical Value
Chemical / class Aldehyde intermediate
CAS Number 50-00-0
Molecular Formula CH2O
Molecular Weight 30.026 g/mol
Handling Refer to the current SDS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is formaldehyde (formalin) used for?

Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0), supplied as formalin, is used mainly to make formaldehyde resins (urea-, phenol- and melamine-formaldehyde) for wood adhesives, laminates and coatings, and as a chemical intermediate for many derivatives. RawSource supplies it for industrial use; it is a regulated, hazardous substance — consult the SDS.

What concentration is formalin supplied at?

Formalin is commonly supplied as an aqueous solution around 37% formaldehyde, usually stabilized with methanol to prevent polymerization. Specify the concentration and stabilizer your process needs.

How is bulk formaldehyde supplied and quoted?

RawSource supplies formaldehyde in bulk with CoA, TDS and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on grade, particle size/specification and volume; submit an RFQ with your application and quantity.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.