Methanediol

Methanediol
Names
IUPAC name
Methanediol[1]
Other names
  • Formald hydrate
  • Formaldehyde monohydrate
  • Methylene glycol
Identifiers
Abbreviations MADOL
1730798
463-57-0 Yes
ChEBI CHEBI:48397 Yes
ChemSpider 71348 Yes
EC number 207-339-5
Jmol-3D images Image
PubChem 79015
Properties
Molecular formula
CH4O2
Molar mass 48.04 g·mol−1
Appearance Colourless liquid
Density 1.199 g cm−3
Boiling point 194 °C (381 °F; 467 K) at 101 kPa
Vapor pressure 16.1 Pa
Acidity (pKa) 13.29[2]
1.401
Hazards
Flash point 99.753 °C (211.555 °F; 372.903 K)
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
 Yes verify (what is: Yes/?)
Infobox references

Methanediol, also known as formaldehyde monohydrate or methylene glycol, is an organic compound with chemical formula CH2(OH)2. It is the simplest geminal diol, and formally the second simplest carbohydrate (after formaldehyde).

Methanediol is a product of the hydration of formaldehyde H2C=O, and predominates in water solution: the equilibrium constant being about 103,[3] and in a 5% by weight solution of formaldehyde in water, 80% is in the methanediol form.

The compound is of some relevance to astrochemistry.[4]

Methanediol is listed as one of the main ingredients of "Brazilian blowout", a hair-straightening formula marketed in the US. The equilibrium with formaldehyde may cause some concern as formaldehyde in hair straighteners is a health hazard.[5]

See also

References

  1. "Methanediol - Compound Summary". PubChem Compound. USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information. 26 March 2005. Identification and Related Records. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  2. Bell, R. P.; McTigue, P. T. (1960). "603. Kinetics of the aldol condensation of acetaldehyde". Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed): 2983. doi:10.1039/JR9600002983.
  3. Eric V. Anslyn, Dennis A. Dougherty (2006), Modern physical organic chemistry. University Science Books. ISBN 1-891389-31-9. 1095 pages
  4. A theoretical study of the conversion of gas phase methanediol to formaldehyde Kent DR, Widicus SL, Blake GA, Goddard WA The Journal of Chemical Physics -- September 8, 2003 -- Volume 119, Issue 10, pp. 5117-5120 doi:10.1063/1.1596392
  5. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/hazard_alert.html