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Safety Information

158127

Sigma-Aldrich

Paraformaldehyde

powder, 95%

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Synonym(s):
Polyoxymethylene
Linear Formula:
HO(CH2O)nH
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
30.03 (as monomer)
MDL number:
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.21

vapor density

1.03 (vs air)

Quality Level

vapor pressure

<1.45 mmHg ( 25 °C)

Assay

95%

form

powder

autoignition temp.

572 °F

expl. lim.

73 %

mp

120-170 °C (lit.)

density

0.88 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

storage temp.

2-8°C

InChI

1S/CH2O/c1-2/h1H2

InChI key

WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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General description

Paraformaldehyde is also referred as polyoxymethylene. It participates as an external CO source in the synthesis of aromatic aldehydes and esters.

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 4 Inhalation - Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Carc. 1B - Eye Dam. 1 - Flam. Sol. 2 - Muta. 2 - Skin Irrit. 2 - Skin Sens. 1 - STOT SE 3

Target Organs

Respiratory system

Storage Class Code

4.1B - Flammable solid hazardous materials

WGK

WGK 2

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Regulatory Information

危险化学品

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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T1503
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25G
Pack Size/Quantity

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705578-5MG-PW

PL860-CGA/SHF-1EA

MMYOMAG-74K-13

1000309185

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Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product's label following the words 'Lot' or 'Batch'.

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  • For a lot number such as TO09019TO, enter it as 09019TO (without the first two letters 'TO').

  • For a lot number with a filling-code such as 05427ES-021, enter it as 05427ES (without the filling-code '-021').

  • For a lot number with a filling-code such as STBB0728K9, enter it as STBB0728 without the filling-code 'K9'.

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  1. Which document(s) contains shelf-life or expiration date information for a given product?

    If available for a given product, the recommended re-test date or the expiration date can be found on the Certificate of Analysis.

  2. How do I get lot-specific information or a Certificate of Analysis?

    The lot specific COA document can be found by entering the lot number above under the "Documents" section.

  3. What is the difference between formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde?

    Paraformaldehyde is the polymeric form of formaldehyde. It is a solid. Formaldehyde is a gas which when dissolved in water gives a formaldehyde solution. Commercially available formaldehyde solutions usually contain 10-15% methanol, which prevents the formaldehyde from forming the polymeric paraformaldehyde.

  4. How does Product 158127, Paraformaldehyde, compare to prilled paraformaldehyde?

    Prilled has the appearance of small white beads.  Product 158127 is a powder, not prilled.

  5. Do you have a recommended method for preparing solutions of Paraformaldehyde, Product 158127?

    Paraformaldehyde does not dissolve but rather can be depolymerized in solution. Depolymerized solutions can be prepared in water with heating to 55-60°C. If necessary, further addition of 1-2 drops of a sodium hydroxide solution may be required. Some protocols suggest that paraformaldehyde should be prepared in buffered solutions such as phosphate buffer or PBS at approximately pH 7.

  6. How stable are solutions of Product 158127, Paraformaldehyde?

    Buffered solutions of 2-4% formaldehyde may be used for up to two weeks if stored in brown bottles at 2-8°C.

  7. How do I find price and availability?

    There are several ways to find pricing and availability for our products. Once you log onto our website, you will find the price and availability displayed on the product detail page. You can contact any of our Customer Sales and Service offices to receive a quote.  USA customers:  1-800-325-3010 or view local office numbers.

  8. What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?

    Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product. 

  9. What are the differences between the Paraformaldheyde products and which is best suited for use as a fixative for Electron Microscopy?

    Product 16005 is sold only in Europe and is not available to US customers.The primary differences among the various products is in the form for each product.  P6148 is listed as crystalline, 158127 is listed as powder, and 441244 is listed as prilled. The product information page for 441244 states the prilled form will go into solution more readily, but the prilled, crystalline, and powder forms are equivalent in terms on use. The prilled form is expected to slow down the rate of sublimation compared to the powder or the crystalline forms.  Any of the 3 products should be suitable for use as a fixative.  However, once prepared, paraformaldehyde solutions are unstable unless methanol is added as a stabilizer. Customer options vary from preparing solutions daily to storing solutions for 2 or 3 weeks. If used as a fixative for electron microscopy, we recommend preparing solutions fresh daily to avoid the risk of repeating tedious EM work due to deterioration of the fixative.  For less critical applications, it would be more acceptable to use solutions stored for longer periods of time.

  10. My question is not addressed here, how can I contact Technical Service for assistance?

    Ask a Scientist here.

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Carbonari M, et al.
Cytometry. Part A : the Journal of the International Society For Analytical Cytology, 73(2), 168-174 (2008)
Morphological and physiological species-dependent characteristics of the rodent Grueneberg ganglion
Brechbuhl J, et al.
Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 8, 87-87 (2014)

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