Editing Formaldehyde (section)

===Industrial applications===
Formaldehyde is a common precursor to more complex compounds and materials. In approximate order of decreasing consumption, products generated from formaldehyde include [[urea formaldehyde resin]], [[melamine resin]], [[phenol formaldehyde resin]], [[polyoxymethylene plastic]]s, [[1,4-butanediol]], and [[methylene diphenyl diisocyanate]].<ref name="Ullmann"/> The [[textile industry]] uses formaldehyde-based resins as [[Finishing (textiles)|finishers]] to make fabrics crease-resistant.<ref>{{cite web | title = Formaldehyde in Clothing and Textiles FactSheet | url = https://www.nicnas.gov.au/chemical-information/factsheets/chemical-name/formaldehyde-in-clothing-and-textiles | website = NICNAS | publisher = Australian National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme | access-date = 2014-11-12 | date = 2013-05-01 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190319234828/https://www.nicnas.gov.au/chemical-information/factsheets/chemical-name/formaldehyde-in-clothing-and-textiles | archive-date = 2019-03-19 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

[[File:UFresinSyn.svg|thumb|340px|Two steps in formation of urea-formaldehyde resin, which is widely used in the production of particle board]]

When condensed with [[phenol]], [[urea]], or [[melamine]], formaldehyde produces, respectively, hard thermoset phenol formaldehyde resin, urea formaldehyde resin, and melamine resin. These polymers are permanent adhesives used in [[plywood]] and [[carpet]]ing. They are also foamed to make [[Thermal insulation|insulation]], or [[casting|cast]] into moulded products. Production of formaldehyde resins accounts for more than half of formaldehyde consumption.

Formaldehyde is also a precursor to polyfunctional [[Alcohol (chemistry)|alcohol]]s such as [[pentaerythritol]], which is used to make [[paint]]s and [[explosive]]s. Other formaldehyde derivatives include methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, an important component in [[polyurethane]] paints and foams, and [[hexamine]], which is used in phenol-formaldehyde resins as well as the explosive [[RDX]].

Condensation with acetaldehyde affords [[pentaerythritol]], a chemical necessary in synthesizing [[PETN]], a high explosive:<ref>{{OrgSynth|first=H. B. J.|last=Schurink|title=Pentaerythritol|prep=cv1p0425|volume=4|pages=53|year= 1925|collvol=1|collvolpages=425}}</ref>
[[File:Pentaerythritol Synthesis.svg|600px|center]]