Of all the organic compounds, aldehydes as a class are the most easily

oxidized being converted into carboxylic acids; some texts refer to the

use of potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate. Tollens' reagent

contains the silver ammonia ion, Ag(NH3)2+, which oxidizes the aldehyde

and reduces the silver ion to free silver.  The Merck Index says that

formaldehyde solution (37% by wt formaldehyde) in the air is slowly

oxidized to formic acid. Aqueous solutions of household bleach contain

~5.25% NaClO (sodium hypochlorite). 


If the reaction doesn't require heat to complete and will go to

completion with an excess of water, you'd need at least 8X as much

bleach as formalin. It's probably less expensive to simply dispose of as

hazardous material.


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-----Original Message-----

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of

Debbie Decker

Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2007 1:56 PM

To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU

Subject: [DCHAS-L] formaldehyde and bleach


Quick question:


Does bleach "inactivate" formaldehyde so that the resultant can go down

the drain?  Yes yes - I know formaldehyde is a hazardous waste, blah

blah, and treatment isn't allowed, yada yada.  I have to head off this

biologist before she does any more "chemistry."


Thanks,

Debbie

----------------------

Debbie Decker

EH&S UCDavis

(530)754-7964

FAX (530)752-4527

dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu

Co-Conspirator to Make the World A 

Better Place -- Visit www.HeroicStories.com and join the conspiracy


Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction 

that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions, 

can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."


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