3 OH- + HCHO + 2 (Ag(NH3)2)+ → 2 H2O + 4 NH3 + 2 Ag + HCOO-

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

C0 - 2 e- → CII (oxidation)

2 AgI + 2 e- → 2 Ag0 (reduction)

HCHO is a reducing agent, (Ag(NH3)2)+ is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

  • OH- – Hydroxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Hydroxide ion source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
  • HCHO – Formaldehyde source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Methanal source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Methyl aldehyde source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Methylene glycol source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Methylene oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless gas with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colourless liquid with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution (see specific listing for Formalin).] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • (Ag(NH3)2)+

Products:

  • H2O – Water, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
  • NH3
    • Names: Ammonia source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Azane (only intended for use in naming derivatives of ammonia) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen nitride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: Colourless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless gas or compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Easily liquefied under pressure.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • Ag
    • Names: Silver source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Ag source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Element 47 source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • Appearance: White metal. turns dark on exposure to ozone, hydrogen sulfide or sulfur source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • HCOO-