Substance profile
Formamide
Formamide is slightly viscous, colorless liquid with a faint ammonia odor.
01 · Identification
What Formamide is
Formamide is slightly viscous, colorless liquid with a faint ammonia odor. Its molecular formula is CH3NO and its molecular weight is 45.041 g/mol. It boils at 211 °C, melts at 2.6 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · Identifiers
Formamide identifiers and molecular data
Formamide CAS number and EC number
Formamide molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Formamide hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Formamide pictograms and signal word
Formamide hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H360D | May damage the unborn child. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Formamide. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Formamide
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Formamide issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Formamide precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 4 precautionary statements to Formamide. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Formamide name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | формамид |
| Spanish español | Formamida |
| Czech čeština | formamid |
| Danish dansk | formamid |
| German Deutsch | Formamid |
| Estonian eesti | formamiid |
| Greek ελληνικά | φορμαμίδιο |
| English English | formamide |
| French français | formamide |
| Croatian hrvatski | formamid |
| Italian italiano | formamide |
| Latvian latviešu | formamīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | formamidas |
| Hungarian magyar | formamid |
| Maltese Malti | formammid |
| Dutch Nederlands | formamide |
| Polish polski | formamid |
| Portuguese português | formamida |
| Romanian română | formamidă |
| Slovak slovenčina | formamid |
| Slovenian slovenščina | formamid |
| Finnish suomi | formamidi |
| Swedish svenska | formamid |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Formamide GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Formamide, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Formamide
- May damage the unborn child.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Get medical advice/attention.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Formamide in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Formamide health hazards and exposure limits
Formamide hazard summary
Subchronic studies of rats exposed at 1500 ppm show decreased weight gain, kidney injury, and suppression of platelets and lymphocytes. By analogy with dimethylformamide, formamide is a suspected liver toxin. No signs of toxicity were detected in rats exposed 6 hours/day for 10 days at approximately 100 ppm of formamide vapor (equivalent to air saturated with formamide at room temperature). [ACGIH] A skin and eye irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations may cause CNS effects; [ICSC]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Formamide carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of formamide in male or female F344/N rats administered 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of formamide in male B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of hemangiosarcoma of the liver. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of formamide in female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of hepatocellular adenoma or carcinoma (combined).
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-541: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Formamide (CASRN 75-12-7) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies) (2008 )
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Formamide occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 20 ppm (30 mg/m3) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | 30 ppm (45 mg/m3) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | none See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 10 ppm (15 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 10 ppm (15 mg/m3) [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | N.D. | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Formamide properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Formamide boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 210.5 °C (410.9 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 220 °C (428 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| 206 °C (402.8 °F) | range, midpoint shown | HSDB |
Formamide melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 2.55 °C (36.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 2.78 °C (37 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) | CAMEO |
Formamide density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.13 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.1334 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Formamide solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Sol in alcohol and acetone | HSDB | |
| Miscible with methanol, phenol, dioxane, acetic acid, ethylene glycol, USP glycerol. | HSDB | ||
| Insoluble in ethanol; very soluble in ethyl ether; miscible in chloroform, petroleum ether. | HSDB |
Formamide vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.06 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 0.061 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Formamide flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 154.44 °C (310 °F) | HSDB |
Formamide autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 154.44 °C (310 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 500 °C (932 °F) | above this value | ICSC |
Formamide lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.7 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Has exploded while in storage. | HSDB | ||
| Class IIIB Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 200 °F. | NIOSH |
Formamide upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 19 % by volume | ICSC |
Formamide vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 1.56 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.6 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Formamide odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Odor recognition in water: 1.00X10+2 (chemically pure) | HSDB | |
| 150 mg/cu m (odor low) 150 mg/cu m (odor high) | HSDB |
Formamide corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Copper, brass and even lead are attacked. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Formamide fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Formamide fire potential
Combustible when exposed to heat or flame.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Formamide storage and handling
Formamide safe storage
Separated from oxidants, acids and bases. Dry.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Formamide storage conditions
For storage ... tanks of stainless steel or aluminum are indicated. When small amounts of iron are permissible, mild steel can be used for tank cars and drums. Caffeine, adenine and other purines stabilize formamide in storage ...
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Formamide incompatible materials
Incompatible with iodine, pyridine and sulfur trioxide.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Formamide reactivity
FORMAMIDE is incompatible with strong oxidizers, acids and bases. Sensitive to light. Reacts with water very slowly at room temperature, but rate is accelerated by acids and bases at elevated temperatures. Incompatible with iodine, pyridine and sulfur trioxide. Reacts explosively with furfuryl alcohol, H2O2, Tl(NO3)3.H2O, nitromethane and P2O5. An effective solvent: dissolves casein, glucose, tannins, starch, lignin, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose acetate, nylon, the chlorides of copper, lead, zinc, tin, cobalt, iron, aluminum and nickel, the acetates of the alkali metals, some inorganic sulfates and nitrates. Attacks copper and brass (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Formamide in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Formamide — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Formamide?
The CAS number of Formamide is 75-12-7. Its EC number is 200-842-0.
What is the chemical formula of Formamide?
The molecular formula of Formamide is CH3NO and its molecular weight is 45.041 g/mol.
What does a Formamide label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Formamide carries the pictogram Health hazard and the signal word is Danger.
Is Formamide flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Formamide no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 154.44 °C (310 °F) (HSDB).
Is Formamide a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Formamide. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for Formamide?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Formamide is 20 ppm (30 mg/m3) (Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Formamide?
The boiling point reported for Formamide is 210.5 °C (410.9 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Formamide?
The melting point reported for Formamide is 2.55 °C (36.6 °F) (HSDB).
How should Formamide be stored?
For storage ... tanks of stainless steel or aluminum are indicated. When small amounts of iron are permissible, mild steel can be used for tank cars and drums. Caffeine, adenine and other purines stabilize formamide in storage ... (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Formamide
Keep going: substances starting with F, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.