Uses of Formaldehyde.

 Formaldehyde is the simplest and most reactive aldehyde. Condensation polymerization of formaldehyde with phenol, urea, or melamine produces phenol-formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, and melamine formaldehyde resins, respectively. These are important glues used in producing particle board and plywood. Condensation of formaldehyde with acetaldehyde in presence of a strong alkali produces pentaerythritol, a polyhydric alcohol for alkyd resin production:

Formaldehyde reacts with ammonia and produces hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine):

Hexamine is a cross-linking agent for phenolic resins.