Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Organic Chemistry / Difference Between Formamide and Formaldehyde

Difference Between Formamide and Formaldehyde

November 26, 2019 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between formamide and formaldehyde is that the formamide is an amide, but the formaldehyde is an aldehyde.

Formamide and formaldehyde are important organic compounds. Both these compounds have their functional groups attached to a hydrogen atom. Therefore, formamide has an amide group attached to a hydrogen group, and formaldehyde has a carbonyl group attached to a hydrogen atom. Moreover, these are the smallest members of each compound series; i.e. formamide is the smallest compound among aliphatic amides while formaldehyde is the smallest member of the aldehyde group.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Formamide 
3. What is Formaldehyde
4. Side by Side Comparison – Formamide vs Formaldehyde in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Formamide?

Formamide is the simplest aliphatic amide having the chemical formula HC(=O)NH2. This is an amide that forms from formic acid. This compound exists as a clear and oily liquid that is miscible with water. Moreover, it has an ammonia-like odour. Its molar mass is 45 g/mol. The melting point is very low (2 to 3 °C), but the boiling point is high (210 °C).

Difference Between Formamide and Formaldehyde

Figure 01: Formamide

In the past, formamide was produced by treating formic acid with ammonia. Here, this reaction produces ammonium formate, and upon heating, it gives formamide. However, the modern method of production involves the carbonylation of ammonia.

There are several applications of formamide. One of the main uses is as the feedstock for the production of sulfa drugs and many other pharmaceuticals. It is also important in gel electrophoresis as an RNA stabilizer.

What is Formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde. Its chemical formula is CH2O, and IUPAC name is Methanal. Moreover, the molar mass of formaldehyde is 30 g/mol. Also, at the room temperature and pressure, formaldehyde is a colourless gas. Besides, it has a pungent, irritating odour.

Furthermore, the melting point of formaldehyde is −92 °C, while the boiling point is −19 °C. Formaldehyde contains a carbon atom, two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom bonded to each other via covalent chemical bonds. The shape of the molecule is trigonal planar.

Key Difference - Formamide vs Formaldehyde

Figure 02: Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde aqueous solution is flammable and corrosive. When preparing a formaldehyde solution, methanol is added to prevent formaldehyde from precipitating as paraformaldehyde. In cold conditions, formaldehyde tends to form cloudiness in the solution due to the formation of macromolecules via formaldehyde polymerization.

There are many applications of formaldehyde in industries and other areas. It is used as a precursor for many organic synthesis processes; for example, resins such as melamine resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin. Apart from that, it is used as a disinfectant. It can kill bacteria and fungi on wood surfaces. However, formaldehyde is toxic and known to be carcinogenic.

What is the Difference Between Formamide and Formaldehyde?

Formamide and formaldehyde are important organic compounds. Both these compounds have their functional groups attached to a hydrogen atom. The key difference between formamide and formaldehyde is that formamide is an amide, whereas formaldehyde is an aldehyde. Also, formamide is the simplest aliphatic amide and has the chemical formula HC(=O)NH2 while formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde with the chemical formula CH2O.

There are many applications of formamide. Some important ones include the use of it as a feedstock for the production of sulfa drugs and many other pharmaceuticals, production of hydrogen cyanide, and RNA stabilizer in gel electrophoresis. Formaldehyde, on the other hand, is used as a precursor for many organic synthesis processes; in resins, such as melamine resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, etc.

Below infographic summarizes the difference between formamide and formaldehyde.

Difference Between Formamide and Formaldehyde in Tabular Form

Summary – Formamide vs Formaldehyde

In brief, formamide and formaldehyde are important organic compounds. Both these compounds have their functional groups attached to a hydrogen atom. However, the key difference between formamide and formaldehyde is that the formamide is an amide, but the formaldehyde is an aldehyde.

Reference:

1. “Formamide.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 June 2019, Available here.
2. “Formamide.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Formamide-2D” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Formaldehyde-2D” By Wereon – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Key Difference - Acyl vs AlkylDifference Between Acyl and Alkyl Difference Between Cis and Trans CyclohexaneDifference Between Cis and Trans Cyclohexane Difference Between Heptane and HexaneDifference Between Heptane and Hexane Difference Between Transamination and DeaminationDifference Between Transamination and Deamination Difference Between Borazine and BenzeneDifference Between Borazine and Benzene

Filed Under: Organic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Narcissism and Psychopathy

Difference Between Narcissism and Psychopathy

Difference Between Horse and Pony

Difference Between Horse and Pony

Difference Between Heat of Formation and Heat of Reaction

Difference Between Heat of Formation and Heat of Reaction

Difference Between Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism

Difference Between Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism

Difference Between Free AVG Android Security and NetQin Android Security

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Liquid Paraffin and Glycerin
  • What is the Difference Between Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide
  • What is the Difference Between Xanthophyll and Carotene
  • What is the Difference Between Erythrose and Erythrulose
  • What is the Difference Between Allergens and Allergies
  • What is the Difference Between Kojic Acid and Hydroquinone
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.