formaldehyde - Sciencemadness Dot Org

USES OF FORMALDEHYDE 321
scopic, or syrupy materials which, are claimed to hinder the deposition 01
formaldehyde polymer on the seeds and thus prevent damage and increase
the disinfecting action 4 .
References
1. Anderson, P- J-, Conn. Agr. Expt. Sta., Bull, 359,336-64 • 1934 : C\ A.. 2S„ 0&2Q.
2. Brauxi, Hh, J. Agr. Research, 19, 363-95 (1920)j Chem. Zerdr.t 1921, II, :«7.
3. Cbemische Fabrik Ludwig Meyer, French Patent o65,l&S \lfl24;-.
4. Chemiscne Fabrik Ludwig Meyer, German Patent 423,466 (1926;; Chem. Ztntr., 1906,0, 4S3.
5. Cook, H. T., and Nugent, T. J., Virginia, Truck Expi. Sta, Bull. 104.13(3-1717 1940;.
6. Dairies, R. H., New Jersey Agr. Expt* Sta., Circular Xo. 437, Spp, '1942 .
7. Garman, P., Afr. Expt. Sta., Conn. Sept., 48.305-7; CAwa. Zentr., 1926, U\ 1175.
S. Hurd, A, M„ J. .40r. R&tearch, 20, 209-41 (1920); C. .4., 15, 69S.
S. JIoU, E., (to Chemiscbe Fabrik Ludwig Meyer), t". S. Paienr 1.530,950 1925'!.
10. Morris, R. H., T7. S. Patent 1,394,482 (192S).
11. Neill, •?• C, NetvZetzland J. Agr., 31, 24-5 (1925); C. A., 30, 472,
1?. Ogilvie, L., Hickman, C. J., and Croxail, H. E., Ana. Rept. Agr. Hon. Research Sta., Long Asbion* Bristol
1938, 9S-114;C. .4.,34,1121.
13. Reyneke, J., Farming in 3. Africa, Ut &4r-B (13391; J". $oc. Cfem, fnd,, 58.3171.
XL Sayre, J. D., and Thomas, R, C. Science, 66, 39S '1927}; C. .4., 22, 299.
15, Sayre, J. D., and Thomas, &. C.; Ohio Agr. Expt. Sta., Bimonthly Bull., 13,19-21 ri82S>; C. A., 23,1011.
15. Stewart, R., and Stephens, J., Utah Expt. Sta. Bull. 108, (2910'; C. A., 4, 2972.
17 Traverso, G. B-, Stat, sperim. agrariitaL, 52T 463-54 f 1919*1; Clem, Zentr., 192*, I, 92S.
Formaldehyde as a Reagent for Chemical Analyses
Small quantities of foi*maldehyde are employed for a variety of purposes
in quantitative and qualitative analyses. Although for some of these
purposes it has been replaced by other reagents, it remains a key chemical
in several well known analytical procedures commonly employed in modern
technical laboratories.
The Sorenson procedure for the titration of amino acids is perhaps the
best known, of the analytical procedures in which formaldehyde is employed.
Reaction with formaldehyde makes it possible to carry out direct
titration of these acids, since the basic properties of the amino radicals are
nullified by formaldehyde condensation. The reactions upon which this
procedure is based have been already discussed (page 220).
Formaldehyde is also commonly employed for the quantitative determination
of halogen acids or inorganic halides in the presence of hydrocyanic
acid or alkali cyanides. The solution to be analyzed is made alkaline with
caustic and treated with excess formaldehyde. By this means cyanides are
converted to formaldehyde eyanohydrin which will not interfere in the
volumetric determination of halogen by the Yolhard procedure, which can
be applied after the solution has been acidified with nitric acid. This
procedure was described by Polstorf and Meyer 6 in 1912. A recent paper
by Mutschin 7 gives detailed directions for determining chlorides, bromides
and iodides in the presence of CX~ with Mohr's method of titration following
the addition of formaldehyde.
Precipitation of metals by the addition of formaldehyde and alkali to
solutions containing salts or oxides of gold 10 , silver 11 , bismuth 2 -" and copper 5