Polymer formation formaldehyde detection

Even at the early stages of absorption of formaldehyde, no methylol derivatives could be detected in these resins. This is apparently due to the rapid formation of methylene bonds in the resins. In polyamide 68, methylol derivatives were detected (up to 3% of the weight of the polymer 15 min after the beginning of the experiment) at all stages of the absorption of formaldehyde. The content of methylol groups was determined polar igraphically. It corresponded to the amount of free polyformaldehyde liberated in the decomposition of methylol groups in alkaline medium [27]. However, even at the maximum absorption of formaldehyde, polyamide 68 remains entirely soluble in tricresol imder these conditions. 

---