4472. Glutaraldehyde

Nomenclature

CAS number: 111-30-8
Pentanedial; glutaral; glutaric dialdehyde; 1,3-diformylpropane; Cidex (J & J); Glutarol (Dermal); Novaruca (Bioglan); Sonacide (Wyeth-Ayerst); Ucarcide (Union Carbide); Verucasep (Galen); Verutal (Stiefel).
C5H8O2; mol wt 100.12.
C 59.98%, H 8.05%, O 31.96%.

Description and references

Prepn: C. Harries, L. Tank, Ber. 41, 1701 (1908); A. C. Cope et al., Org. Synth. coll. vol. IV, 816 (1963). Toxicity data: H. F. Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 23, 95 (1962). Clinical evaluation in treatment of viral warts: R. Hirose et al., J. Dermatol. 21, 248 (1994). Review of role in electron microscopy: M. A. Hayat, Micron Microsc. Acta 17, 115-135 (1986); of toxicology: R. O. Beauchamp, Jr. et al., Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 22, 143-174 (1992); of microbiocidal activity and use as chemosterilizing agent: A. D. Russell, Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 15, 724-733 (1994).

Chemical structure

Properties

Oil, fp 14°. bp760 187-189° (dec); bp50 106-108°; bp10 71-72°. nD25 1.43300. Vapor pressure (20°): 0.0152 torr (50% aq soln); 0.0012 torr (2% aq soln). Sol in ethanol, benzene, ether, water; volatile in steam. Polymerizes in water to a glassy form which regenerates the dialdehyde on vacuum distillation. LD50 of 25% soln orally in rats: 2.38 ml/kg; by skin penetration in rabbits: 2.56 ml/kg (Smyth).

Derivative

Dioxime.
C5H10N2O2; mol wt 130.15.
C 46.14%, H 7.74%, N 21.52%, O 24.59%.

Properties

Crystals from water or pyridine, mp 178°. Sublimes. Treatment with hot mineral acids gives pyridine.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system; dermatitis, sensitization of skin; cough, asthma; nausea, vomiting. See: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 152.

Use

Disinfectant; in sterilization of endoscopic instruments; as a tanning agent for leather; fixative for electron microscopy.

Therapeutic Category

Keratolytic.

Keywords

Antiseptic/Disinfectant; Aldehydes; Keratolytic