107-22-2

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.

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].

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]

Mixture of vapor and air may explode. Questionable carcinogen.

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.)

Behavior in Fire: Heat may cause polymerization to a combustible, viscous material.

colourless or light yellow liquid

ChEBI: The dialdehyde that is the smallest possible and which consists of ethane having oxo groups on both carbons.

Notclassified

Industrially, glyoxal can be produced by the gas-phase oxidation of ethylene glycol catalyzed by silver or copper, or by oxidizing acetaldehyde with nitric acid solution. In the laboratory, glyoxal is prepared by oxidizing acetaldehyde with selenite. Anhy

Glyoxal is mixed with a combustible solventand burned in a chemical incineratorequipped with an afterburner and scrubber.