Ethanediol-formaldehyde

SAMPLE SOLUTION (a) The carbon-carbon bond of 1,2-ethanediol is cleaved by periodic acid to give two molecules of formaldehyde ... 

The preparation of 1,2-ethanediol was described in part (b). One method of preparing formaldehyde is by ozonolysis of ethylene. 

Ethanediol does not exhibit substantial antimicrobial activity. However, due to its hygroscopic (water binding) properties it may affect microbial proliferation, e.g. in cosmetics and toiletries, by reducing the available water in the corresponding formulations. Also remarkable is the fact that the addition of formaldehyde (2.1.) to... 

---