Title: Formamide
CAS Registry Number: 75-12-7
Additional Names: Methanamide; carbamaldehyde
Molecular Formula: CH3NO
Molecular Weight: 45.04
Percent Composition: C 26.67%, H 6.71%, N 31.10%, O 35.52%
Line Formula: HCONH2
Literature References: Prepd on a large scale from carbon monoxide and ammonia at high press. and temp: Meyer, Orthner, Ber. 54, 1705 (1921); 55, 857 (1922); Meyer, DE 390798 (1924); DE 392409 (1924); DE 414257 (1925 to BASF); Wietzel, Herbst, US 1843434 (1932 to I. G. Farben). Toxicity study: Pham-Huu-Chank et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 26, 596 (1973). Review: C. L. Eberling in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology vol. 11 (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 3rd ed., 1980) pp 258-263.
Properties: Slightly viscous, odorless, colorless liq. Industrial grades may have faint odor of ammonia. mp 2.55°. bp760 210.5° (partial decomp into CO and NH3 at atm pressure beginning at 180°); bp400 193.5°; bp200 175.5°; bp60 147.0°; bp20 122.5°; bp10 109.5°; bp1.0 70.5°. d415 1.13756; d420 1.13340; d430 1.12483. Dielectric constant e = 84. Viscosity h ´ 105 at 15° = 4320, at 30° = 2926. Surface tension g at 20° = 58.35. nD15 1.44911; nD20 1.44754; nD110 1.4170; nD130 1.4095. Flash pt, open cup: 310°F (154°C). pH of 0.5 molar aq soln 7.1. Misc with water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, acetic acid, dioxane, ethylene glycol, U.S.P. glycerol, phenol. Very slightly sol in ether, benzene. Dissolves casein, glucose, zein, tannins, starch, lignin, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose acetate, nylon, the chlorides of copper, lead, zinc, tin, cobalt, iron, aluminum, nickel, the acetates of the alkali metals, some inorganic sulfates and nitrates. LD50 in mice, rats (g/kg): 4.6, 5.7 i.p. (Pham-Huu-Chanh).
Melting point: mp 2.55°
Boiling point: bp760 210.5° (partial decomp into CO and NH3 at atm pressure beginning at 180°); bp400 193.5°; bp200 175.5°; bp60 147.0°; bp20 122.5°; bp10 109.5°; bp1.0 70.5°
Flash point: Flash pt, open cup: 310°F (154°C)
Index of refraction: nD15 1.44911; nD20 1.44754; nD110 1.4170; nD130 1.4095
Density: d415 1.13756; d420 1.13340; d430 1.12483
Toxicity data: LD50 in mice, rats (g/kg): 4.6, 5.7 i.p. (Pham-Huu-Chanh)
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membranes; drowsiness, fatigue; nausea, acidosis; skin eruptions. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 148.
Use: As ionizing solvent, manuf formic esters, hydrocyanic acid by catalytic dehydration, as softener for paper, animal glues, water-sol gums. |