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CAS Number: 111-30-8
EC Number: 203-856-5
Molecular Formula: C₅H₈O₂
Molecular Weight: 100.12 g/mol
IUPAC Name: Pentanedial
Synonyms:
Glutaraldehyde; Glutaric dialdehyde; 1,5-Pentanedial; Glutardialdehyde; Glutaric aldehyde; Pentane-1,5-dial; 1,3-Diformylpropane; Glutaralum; Cidex; Sonacide; Ucarcide; Alhydex; Aldesan; Glutarol; Hospex; Wavicide; Metricide; Omnicide; Novaruca; Verucasep; Verutal; Sporicidin; Aldesan; Aqucar; Coldcide-25 microbiocide
Chemical Identity and Properties:
Glutaral is the abbreviated name for glutaraldehyde, a saturated dialdehyde with the chemical formula OHC(CH₂)₃CHO. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid characterized by a sharp, pungent, fruity aldehyde odor . The compound is highly reactive due to its two aldehyde functional groups and readily undergoes polymerization, especially in aqueous solutions. It is commercially available as aqueous solutions ranging from 2% to 50% concentration, with stabilizers often added to prevent polymerization .
Physical Properties:
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow clear liquid
Odor: Sharp, pungent aldehyde odor; odor threshold 0.04 ppm
Melting Point: -15 °C to -21 °C
Boiling Point: 100-101 °C at 760 mmHg
Density: 1.058-1.123 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Vapor Density: 3.4-3.45 (air = 1)
Vapor Pressure: 15-17 mmHg at 20-25 °C
Refractive Index: 1.421
Solubility: Miscible with water, ethanol, chloroform, diethyl ether, acetone, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, n-hexane, and toluene
Stability: Light-sensitive; polymerizes in presence of water and air
Chemical Reactivity:
Glutaral exhibits characteristic aldehyde chemistry:
Polymerization: Undergoes aldol condensation and polymerization, particularly in alkaline conditions
Cross-linking: Forms stable cross-links with proteins, amines, and thiols via Schiff base formation
Hydration: Exists in equilibrium with various hydrated forms in aqueous solution
Incompatible with: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases, ammonia, amines, ketones, alcohols, hydrazines, and proteins
Applications:
1. Healthcare Sterilization:
Glutaral is the most widely used chemical sterilant for heat-sensitive medical equipment:
Endoscope sterilization: Cold sterilization of flexible and rigid endoscopes
Surgical instruments: High-level disinfection of surgical tools
Dental equipment: Sterilization of dental instruments and barber equipment
Thermometers: Disinfection of medical thermometers
Rubber and plastic equipment: Sterilization of materials that cannot be heat-sterilized
2. Industrial Biocide:
Water treatment: Control of microbial growth in cooling towers, recirculating water systems, and wastewater treatment
Oil and gas industry: Used in drilling muds, produced water treatment, and oil storage systems to control sulfate-reducing bacteria
Paper mills: Slimicide for controlling slime-forming bacteria in paper manufacturing
Metalworking fluids: Preservative for industrial metalworking fluid systems
3. Tissue Fixation and Microscopy:
Electron microscopy: Primary fixative for preserving ultrastructure
Histology: Fixative for tissue specimens
Cytochemistry: Preserves cellular components for analysis
4. Leather Tanning:
Used as a tanning agent that produces soft, water-resistant leather
5. Cross-linking Agent:
Protein cross-linking: Cross-links gelatin, collagen, and other proteins
Polymer chemistry: Cross-linking agent for poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyheptapeptides
Biotechnology: Immobilization of enzymes and antibodies on solid supports
6. Pharmaceutical and Medical:
Hyperhidrosis: Treatment of excessive sweating
Antifungal agent: Treatment of fungal skin infections
Wart treatment: Topical treatment for warts
Bullous diseases: Treatment of certain blistering skin conditions
Herpes infections: Used in treatment of herpes simplex
7. Embalming:
Component of embalming fluids for preservation of deceased bodies
8. Photography:
X-ray processing: Component of X-ray processing solutions
Gelatin hardening: Hardener for photographic gelatin and film emulsions
9. Industrial Preservation:
Cosmetics: Preservative in cosmetic products
Paints and coatings: Preservation of water-based coatings, latex paints, and inks
Adhesives: Preservation of adhesives
Concrete admixtures: Antimicrobial additive for concrete
Reverse osmosis membranes: Preservative for membrane storage
10. Textile Industry:
Finishing agent to improve wrinkle resistance and fabric durability
11. Agriculture:
Fish farming: Antimicrobial agent in aquaculture
Poultry: Fogging and cleaning of poultry houses
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT GLUTARAL / GLUTARALDEHYDE
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
