reaction of dithionite and formaldehyde product result

Dithionite (sodium dithionite, Na2S2O4) is a strong reducing agent, and when it reacts with formaldehyde (CH2O), it can reduce the aldehyde to methanol (CH3OH). The reaction can also lead to the formation of a range of other products under certain conditions. The general reaction can be represented as follows: \[ \text{CH}_2\text{O} + \text{Na}_2\text{S}_2\text{O}_4 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{OH} + \text{by-products} \] In this reaction, formaldehyde is reduced to methanol, and sodium dithionite is oxidized to produce sodium sulfate and possibly other sulfur compounds, depending on the conditions. Overall, the primary product of the reaction between dithionite and formaldehyde is methanol, while other by-products can include sodium sulfate and sulfur dioxide, depending on the specific reaction conditions.