General Description
Yellow crystals melting at15°C. Hence often encountered as a light yellow liquid with a weak sour odor. Vapor has a green color and burns with a violet flame.
Reactivity Profile
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].
Air & Water Reactions
Mixtures with air may explode. Polymerizes quickly on standing, or on contact with a trace of water (possibly a violent reaction), or when dissolved in solvents containing water, [Merck, 502(1968)]. Soluble in water. An aqueous solution contains mono molecular GLYOXAL(107-22-2). [Hawley]
Hazard
Mixture of vapor and air may explode.
Questionable carcinogen.
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes some irritation of nose and,40% solution throat. Contact with liquid,40% solution irritates eyes and causes mild irritation of skin; stains skin yellow. (No information available on symptoms of ingestion.)
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Heat may cause polymerization to a combustible, viscous material.
Chemical Properties
colourless or light yellow liquid
Definition
ChEBI: The dialdehyde that is the smallest possible and which consists of ethane having oxo groups on both carbons.
Flammability and Explosibility
Notclassified
Waste Disposal
Glyoxal is mixed with a combustible solventand burned in a chemical incineratorequipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
