Aldehydebased

Aldehyde-based refers to materials, reagents, or chemistries in which an aldehyde functional group (R-CHO) is a central reactive unit. Common aldehydes include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glyoxal, and glutaraldehyde, each offering different reactivity, volatility, and crosslinking potential. In organic synthesis and materials science, aldehydes participate in nucleophilic addition at the carbonyl carbon, oxidation to carboxylic acids, and condensation with nucleophiles such as amines or alcohols to form imines or acetals. When combined with multiple reactive sites, aldehydes form crosslinked networks that underpin many resins and coatings.

Aldehyde-based resins are widely used in industry, including urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde systems for wood products, and various coatings and adhesives. Formaldehyde-based fixatives (for example, formalin) are used in biology to preserve tissues, while glutaraldehyde serves as a high-activity disinfectant and sterilant. In polymer chemistry, aldehyde crosslinking and Schiff-base chemistry enable reversible or dynamic covalent bonds in certain advanced materials and biomaterials.

Safety and regulatory notes: many aldehydes, especially formaldehyde, pose health risks as irritants and potential carcinogens. Proper handling, ventilation, and waste disposal are required, and alternatives or reduced-emission formulations are often pursued to mitigate exposure and environmental impact.