Which compound is added to formaldehyde in water to prevent polymerization?

Formaldehyde in its aqueous solution, commonly known as formalin, is prone to polymerization, which can lead to the formation of paraformaldehyde and affect its effectiveness in embalming. To prevent this undesirable reaction, certain compounds are added to stabilize the solution.

Methanol is often used for this purpose because it acts as a stabilizer that inhibits the polymerization of formaldehyde. By doing so, methanol helps maintain the concentration of formaldehyde in its usable form, thereby ensuring its efficacy as a preservative in funeral service applications.

While the other compounds listed might have various uses in different contexts—like ethylene glycol being a component in antifreeze, acetone being a solvent, and glycerin often being used in moisturizers and emulsions—they do not serve the specific purpose of preventing formaldehyde polymerization in embalming practices as effectively as methanol does.