PARAFORMALDEHYDE Meaning and
Definition
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Paraformaldehyde is a crystalline polymer composed of formaldehyde molecules. It is commonly represented as (CH2O)n, where n refers to the number of repeating units in the polymer chain. It is a white, powdery substance with a strong, pungent odor.
Paraformaldehyde is produced by the polymerization of formaldehyde gas under specific conditions, typically in the presence of a catalyst or by heating and cooling the gas rapidly. It is most commonly available in the form of small, hard pellets or as a fine powder.
The substance is widely used as a source of formaldehyde gas, which is released upon heating or dissolving paraformaldehyde in water. This is a crucial property, as paraformaldehyde finds numerous applications as a strong disinfectant, preservative, and fixative in various industries. In the medical field, it is commonly used for sterilization purposes, particularly for surgical instruments and laboratory equipment. It is also widely used in scientific research laboratories for preserving and fixing biological specimens and tissues.
Paraformaldehyde has a relatively long shelf life, is stable under normal conditions, and is highly soluble in water, making it a versatile and practical chemical compound with widespread industrial and scientific use. However, it is important to note that paraformaldehyde is toxic and irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, requiring proper handling and safety precautions when using.
Common Misspellings for PARAFORMALDEHYDE
- oaraformaldehyde
- laraformaldehyde
- 0araformaldehyde
- pzraformaldehyde
- psraformaldehyde
- pwraformaldehyde
- pqraformaldehyde
- paeaformaldehyde
- padaformaldehyde
- pafaformaldehyde
- pataformaldehyde
- pa5aformaldehyde
- pa4aformaldehyde
- parzformaldehyde
- parsformaldehyde
- parwformaldehyde
- parqformaldehyde
- paradormaldehyde
- paracormaldehyde
- paravormaldehyde
Etymology of PARAFORMALDEHYDE
The word "paraformaldehyde" is derived from the combination of three parts: "para-" meaning alongside or resembling, "formaldehyde" referring to a colorless gas consisting of a molecule with one carbon atom, one oxygen atom, and two hydrogen atoms (CH2O), and "-aldehyde" indicating a chemical compound containing the -CHO functional group.
The "para-" prefix suggests that paraformaldehyde is a polymer or a long chain of formaldehyde units. In this case, multiple molecules of formaldehyde combine to form a polymerized structure. Hence, the name "paraformaldehyde" implies a substance that is structurally similar to formaldehyde but in a polymerized or condensed form.
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