Formamide, also known as Methanamide (IUPAC) and Carbamaldehyde, formula HCONH₂ is an amide derived from formic acid. It is a clear liquid with an ammonia-like odor. It is used primarily for manufacturing sulfa drugs and synthesizing vitamins and as a softener for paper and fiber. In its pure form, it dissolves many ionic compounds that are insoluble in water, so it is also used as a solvent. Formamide is also a constituent of cryoprotectant vitrification mixtures used for cryopreservation of tissues and organs. In chemistry, an amide is either the organic functional group characterized by a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom, a compound that contains this functional group, or a particular inorganic anion. ... Formic acid (systematically called methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid. ... Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. ... Sulfonamides, also known as sulfa drugs, are synthetic antimicrobial agents derived from sulfonic acid. ... Vitamins are organic chemicals that a given living organism requires in trace quantities for good health, but which the organism cannot synthesize, and therefore must obtain from its diet. ... In chemistry, an ionic compound is a chemical compound in which ions are held together in a lattice structure by ionic bonds. ... A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs. ... In biology, an organ (Latin: organum, instrument, tool) is a group of tissues, which perform a specific function or group of functions. ...

Production

The reaction of formic acid with ammonia produces ammonium formate, which can then be turned into formamide by heating: Formic acid (systematically called methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid. ... Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. ...

HCOOH + NH₃ → HCOONH₄ Formic acid (systematically called methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid. ... Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. ...

HCOONH₄ → HCONH₂ + H₂O Water has the chemical formula H2O, meaning that one molecule of water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. ...

Physical data

Appearance: colourless oily liquid with faint ammoniacal odour Melting point: 2 C

Boiling point: 210 C

Vapour density: 1.55 (air = 1)

Vapour pressure: 0.08 mm Hg at 20 C

Density (g/cm^-3): 1.13

Flash point: 154 C (open cup)

Water solubility: complete in all proportions