Glycolaldehyde

• CAT Number: R036329
• CAS Number: 141-46-8
• Molecular Formula: C2H4O2
• Molecular Weight: 60.05
• Purity: ≥95%
• Synonyms: 2-Hydroxyacetaldehyde; 2-Hydroxyethanal; 2-Oxoethanol; Diose; Glycolic Aldehyde; Hydroxyacetaldehyde; Hydroxyethanal; Methylolformaldehyde; Monomethylolformaldehyde; NSC 67935
• Storage: Desiccate at -20°C
• IUPAC Name: 2-hydroxyacetaldehyde
• InChI: InChI=1S/C2H4O2/c3-1-2-4/h1,4H,2H2
• InChIKey: WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: C(C=O)O

Glycolaldehyde (Cat No.: R036329) is the simplest alpha-hydroxy aldehyde, featuring both aldehyde and hydroxyl functional groups. It plays a significant role as an intermediate in organic synthesis, biochemical pathways, and prebiotic chemistry studies. Found in metabolic reactions and as a precursor in carbohydrate formation, glycolaldehyde is also of interest in astrochemistry due to its detection in interstellar space. It is reactive, hygroscopic, and often handled as an aqueous solution or dimer. Glycolaldehyde is used exclusively for laboratory and research applications under controlled conditions.