Substance profile
Glyoxal
Glyoxal is yellow prisms or irregular pieces turning white on cooling; opaque at 10 °C with a mild odor.
01 · Identification
What Glyoxal is
Glyoxal is yellow prisms or irregular pieces turning white on cooling; opaque at 10 °C with a mild odor. Its molecular formula is C2H2O2 and its molecular weight is 58.04 g/mol. It boils at 51 °C, melts at 15 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
Other names for Glyoxal
- glyoxal … %
- ethandial … %
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P261, P264, P271, P272, P280, P302, P304, P305, P308, P312, P313, P332, P333, P337, P338, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Glyoxal properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 51 °C (123.8 °F) | at 776 mmHg | HSDB |
| 51.11 °C (124 °F) | at 776 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 104 °C (219.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | 15 °C (59 °F) | HSDB | |
| -14 °C (6.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.14 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.29 g/cm³ | at 20 °C, liquid,40% solution | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Sol in anhydrous solvents | HSDB | |
| greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992) | at 22.22 °C | CAMEO | |
| In water, miscible at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 18 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
| 18.0015 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 255 mmHg | at 25 °C, extrapolated | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 220 °C (428 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 100 °C (212 °F) | above this value | ICSC | |
| Autoignition temperature | 285 °C (545 °F) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Mixtures with air may explode. | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 1.27 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 221.85 °C (431.3 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Glyoxal
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Fire and explosion
Mixing glyoxal and /chlorosulfonic acid, ethyleneimine, oleum, nitric acid, or sodium hydroxide/...in a closed container caused temperature and pressure to increase.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Glyoxal
Storage conditions
Well closed.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Mixture of vapor and air may explode.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
GLYOXAL reacts vigorously with strong oxidizing agents such as nitric acid. Polymerizes rapidly even at low temperature if anhydrous [Noller]. Aqueous solutions are more stable but also polymerize on standing. Reacts with itself in the presence of base to give glyconates. Undergoes addition and condensation reactions that may be exothermic with amines, amides, aldehydes, and hydroxide-containing materials. Mixing in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, ethyleneimine, nitric acid, sodium hydroxide [NFPA 1991].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Glyoxal in the storage compatibility matrix →