Question

Formaldehyde at room temperature is:
A.Liquid
B.Gas
C.Solid
D.None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong smelling gas used in making building materials and many household products. It is a naturally occurring organic compound with chemical formula. It does not accumulate in the environment because it is broken down within a few hours by sunlight or by the bacteria present in the soil or water.

Complete step by step answer:
Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde made of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. It is one of a large family of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds which evaporates and becomes gaseous at room temperature.
Further, its chemical formula is HCHO and the structure is as shown:

It reacts with sodium hydroxide and forms sodium formate and methanol. The chemical equation is given below:
 $2HCHO + NaOH \to HCOONa + C{H_3}OH$
Further, it reacts with ammonia and forms formamidine and water. The equation is as shown:
 $6HCHO + 4N{H_3} \to (C{H_2})_6{N_4} + 6{H_2}O$

Hence, option B is correct.

Additional information:
Upon the addition of hydrogen, the formic acid is converted to formaldehyde. So, formaldehyde is more easily oxidized into formic acid by ambient oxygen. Moreover, formic acid is miscible with water and many other organic solvents as well.

Note:
Formaldehyde is used in the production of resins, principally urea formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde are used to make cores and moulds for foundries. Moreover, it has a long history of safe use in producing some bacterial and viral vaccines and because of its antibacterial properties, it is widely used as a preservative.