or methanal
Simplest aldehyde , chemical formula HCHO. Formaldehyde (37%) in water solution, called formalin, is used as a preservative, an embalming agent, and a disinfectant.
Large amounts of formaldehyde are used in the manufacture of various familiar plastics . Bakelite (the first completely synthetic plastic) is the trademark for formaldehyde and phenol polymer , and Formica is the trademark for formaldehyde and urea polymer. The reaction of formaldehyde with protein s (called amino formylation) leads to its use in the tanning industry and for treating various vegetable proteins to render them fibrous.