DETERMINATION OF FREE FORMALDEHYDE BY VAPOR DIFFUSION TECHNIQUE: A STUDY OF THE GLYCINE–FORMALDEHYDE REACTION

Abstract

A vapor diffusion technique has been modified to give absolute values of the free formaldehyde in glycine–formaldehyde mixtures. The equilibrium constant for the formation of the monomethylol addition compound of glycine and formaldehyde was found to be 40, which coincides with that calculated from Levy's measurements which were made with a hydrogen electrode. Values of the equilibrium constant for the formation of the dimethylol compound were variable and much higher than a single value reported by Levy. This uncertainty may be due to polymerization.