Methanol Oxidation to Formaldehyde

2CH3OH + O2 → 2HCHO + 2H2O

Descripción general

Methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde by oxygen over a metal oxide catalyst. The carbon oxidation state changes from -2 in methanol to 0 in formaldehyde. This catalytic partial oxidation is the primary industrial route to formaldehyde, the simplest aldehyde.

Participantes

Rol Sustancia Coeficiente Estado
Reactivo Oxygen O 1 (g)
Reactivo Methanol CH₃OH 2 (l)
Producto Formaldehyde CH₂O 2 (g)
Producto Water H₂O 2 (l)

Ejemplo cotidiano

Formaldehyde is used in particleboard and MDF manufacturing, and its solutions (formalin) were historically used to preserve biological specimens.

Importancia industrial

Se producen más de 50 millones de toneladas de formaldehído anuales para resinas (urea-formaldehído, fenol-formaldehído), plásticos, desinfectantes y como intermediario químico industrial.

Propiedades

Tipo
Redox
Reversible
No
Energía
Exotérmico
ΔH
-323,0 kJ/mol
Catalizador
Silver or iron-molybdenum oxide

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Methanol Oxidation to Formaldehyde?
The balanced equation is: 2CH₃OH + O₂ → 2HCHO + 2H₂O.
What type of reaction is Methanol Oxidation to Formaldehyde?
Methanol Oxidation to Formaldehyde is a redox reaction.
Is Methanol Oxidation to Formaldehyde exothermic or endothermic?
Methanol Oxidation to Formaldehyde is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -323.0 kJ/mol.
What conditions are needed for Methanol Oxidation to Formaldehyde?
This reaction requires a catalyst (Silver or iron-molybdenum oxide).