It was first synthesized in 1884 by Hölzer, who was working with Bernhard Tollens.
The second method involves the Radziszewski reaction from glyoxal, formaldehyde, and a mixture of ammonia and methylamine.
Formaldehyde fixes tissue or cells by irreversibly connecting a primary amine group in a protein molecule with a nearby nitrogen in a protein or DNA molecule through a -CH2- linkage called a Schiff base.
Nephrolepis obliterata has the added benefit of reducing indoor air pollution, particularly formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
In 1984 concerns about the initial indoor level of formaldehyde led the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to set standards for construction of manufactured homes.
Most Smith & Fong products earn the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Credit MRc6 for Rapidly Renewable Materials, EQ 4.4: No Added Urea Formaldehyde for plywood and EQ 4.3 for flooring.
The Sørensen formol titration invented by S. P. L. Sørensen in 1907 is a titration of an amino acid with formaldehyde in the presence of potassium hydroxide.