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Question 41 of 66

Q.Formaldehyde polymerises to give :

(a) paraformaldehyde
(b) paraldehyde
(c) formalin
(d) formic acid
Puducherry TnboardTamil Nadu HSC (DGE) Board 2017MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
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Formaldehyde self-polymerises into a white solid polymer, paraformaldehyde, HO(CH2O)nHHO(CH_2O)_nH; this is distinct from paraldehyde, which is the cyclic trimer of a different aldehyde (acetaldehyde).

Aqueous formaldehyde solution (formalin, ~37-40%) slowly deposits a white solid on standing or evaporation, formed by the linear polymerisation of HCHOHCHO units — this solid is paraformaldehyde. Paraldehyde (option b) is a similarly-named but different compound, the cyclic trimer of acetaldehyde, not a product of formaldehyde. Formalin (option c) is simply the aqueous solution …

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