Raman spectra of aqueous solutions of formaldehyde and its oligomers

The Raman spectra of formaldehyde‐d0 in water‐d0,2 have been recorded. In such solutions formaldehyde is hydrated, thus giving rise to the presence of methylene‐d0 glycol‐d0,2. With increasing concentration, methylene glycol polymerizes yielding soluble and insoluble polyoxymethylene hydrates. By varying the concentration of the solution, the observed Raman transitions could be assigned to vibrations corresponding to the monomer and/or the oligomer hydrates. The Raman spectra obtained for the partly deuteriated molecules permitted improved assignments for the OH bending vibrations and some HCH vibrations.