Agent Name
Glyoxylic acid
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Acetic acid, oxo-; Formic acid, formyl-; Formylformic acid; GLYOXYLIC ACID; Glyoxalic acid; Kyselina glyoxylova [Czech]; Oxalaldehydic acid; Oxoacetic acid; Oxoethanoic acid; alpha-Ketoacetic acid; [ChemIDplus] UN3265
Description
Solid with an obnoxious odor; Deliquesces quickly to form a syrup in contact with air; [Merck Index] Found as colorless to straw-yellow 50% aqueous solution; [CAMEO] 50% aqueous solution is colorless to light yellow viscous liquid; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Found in unripe fruit, young green leaves, and very young sugar beets; [Merck Index] Used to make flavorings, perfumes, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, plastics, agricultural chemicals, and vanillin; Also used as a cleaning agent for a variety of industrial applications; [HSDB]
Comments
Corrosive acid; [Merck Index] Emergency treatment: see "Oxalic acid." A skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant; [HSDB] May cause irritation or burns to skin and eyes; [CAMEO] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; Inhalation may cause chemical pneumonitis; [MSDSonline]
Vapor Pressure
1.06 mm Hg
Explanatory Notes
The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Corrosive liquid, acidic, organic, n.o.s." VP from ChemIDplus;
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.