6081. Methylglyoxal

Nomenclature

CAS number: 78-98-8
2-Oxopropanal; pyruvaldehyde; 2-ketopropionaldehyde; acetylformaldehyde.
C3H4O2; mol wt 72.06.
C 50.00%, H 5.60%, O 44.41%.

Description and references

Physiological metabolite formed by the fragmentation of triosephosphates and by the metabolism of acetone; synthesized by microorganisms. Also occurs in a variety of foods and beverages such as coffee. Reacts with nucleic acids and proteins under physiological conditions serving as a signal for their degradation. Prepn: H. v. Pechmann, Ber. 20, 3213 (1887); H. O. L. Fischer, C. Taube, ibid. 57, 1502 (1924); eidem, ibid. 59, 857 (1926); M. W. Kellum et al., Anal. Biochem. 85, 586 (1978). GC determn in food and biological samples: S. Ohmori et al., J. Chromatogr. 415, 221 (1987). Review of natural occurrance and metabolism in microorganisms: Y. Inoue, A. Kimura, Adv. Microb. Physiol. 37, 177-227 (1995). Review of physiological significance and role in pathogenesis: P. J. Thornalley, Gen. Pharmacol. 27, 565-573 (1996).

Chemical structure

Properties

Clear, yellow liquid, pungent odor. bp760 72°. d24 1.0455. nD17.5 1.4002. Hygroscopic. Polymerizes very readily, forming a brittle, resinous mass. Sol in water and alcohol, giving colorless solns.

Derivative

Oxime see Isonitrosoacetone.