Chemicals and Drugs

Formaldehyde

A highly reactive aldehyde gas formed by oxidation or incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. In solution, it has a wide range of uses: in the manufacture of resins and textiles, as a disinfectant, and as a laboratory fixative or preservative. Formaldehyde solution (formalin) is considered a hazardous compound, and its vapor toxic. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p717)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A highly reactive aldehyde gas formed by oxidation or incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. In solution, it has a wide range of uses: in the manufacture of resins and textiles, as a disinfectant, and as a laboratory fixative or preservative. Formaldehyde solution (formalin) is considered a hazardous compound, and its vapor toxic. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p717)

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
CH2O
Molecular Weight
30.026 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
50-00-0
IUPAC Name
formaldehyde
InChIKey
WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
C=O
MeSH Unique ID
D005557
Source
PubChem CID 712

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • Methanal
  • Oxomethane
  • Formalin
  • Formol

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

25 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Formaldehyde. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D005557. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D005557
  2. Formaldehyde. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde
  3. Formaldehyde. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q161210
  4. Formaldehyde. In: PubChem Compound. CID 712. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/712