How Do You Spell METHANAL?

Pronunciation: [mˈɛθənə͡l] (IPA)

Methanal, also known as formaldehyde, is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. The spelling of methanal can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /mɛθənæl/. The first part of the word is pronounced as "meth," with the "e" as in "bet" and the "th" as in "thin." The second part of the word is pronounced as "an," with the "a" as in "cat" and the "n" as in "no." The final syllable, "-al," is pronounced as "al" with the "a" as in "cat."

METHANAL Meaning and Definition

1. Methanal, also known as formaldehyde, is a colorless gas with a strong, pungent odor. It is the simplest aldehyde and consists of one carbon atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in a linear arrangement. The chemical formula of methanal is CH2O.

   In addition to its gaseous form, methanal can also exist as a liquid or a solid called paraformaldehyde, which is a polymer composed of repeating methanal units. Methanal is highly soluble in water and readily forms a solution called formalin when dissolved in water.

   Methanal is widely used in industries and laboratories for various purposes. It is commonly employed as a disinfectant, preservative, and sterilizing agent due to its strong antimicrobial properties. It is also utilized in the production of plastics, resins, textiles, and adhesives. Additionally, methanal is a vital component in the manufacture of chemicals such as methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), which is used in the production of polyurethane foams, coatings, and adhesives.

   Although methanal has numerous industrial applications, it is important to note that it is highly toxic and a known carcinogen. Direct exposure to methanal can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as allergic reactions and respiratory difficulties. Long-term exposure has been associated with increased risk of certain cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. Hence, proper handling and safety precautions are essential when working with methanal.

Common Misspellings for METHANAL

• nethanal
• kethanal
• jethanal
• mwthanal
• msthanal
• mdthanal
• mrthanal
• m4thanal
• m3thanal
• merhanal
• mefhanal
• meghanal
• meyhanal
• me6hanal
• me5hanal
• metganal
• metbanal
• metnanal
• metjanal

Etymology of METHANAL

The word "methanal" is derived from the combination of two terms: "meth-" and "-al".

- "Meth-" comes from the chemical compound methane (CH4), which is the simplest hydrocarbon consisting of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. The term "meth-" is used in chemistry to indicate the presence of a single carbon atom.

- The suffix "-al" refers to an aldehyde, which is a class of organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen atom) at the end of a carbon chain. Aldehydes often have a characteristic odor and are commonly found in various chemical reactions and biological processes.

Therefore, "methanal" specifically refers to a particular aldehyde known as formaldehyde (CH2O). It is called "methanal" due to its connection to methane and the presence of the aldehyde functional group.

Similar spelling words for METHANAL

• methanol,
• Methenyl,
• formyl-methionyl-trna,
• methionyl,
• methional,
• methonal.

Plural form of METHANAL is METHANALS