GLUTARALDEHYDE

CAS Number: 111-30-8
 EC Number: 203-856-5
 Molecular Formula: C₅H₈O₂
 Molecular Weight: 100.12 g/mol
 IUPAC Name: Pentanedial
Synonyms:
 Glutaral; Glutaric dialdehyde; 1,5-Pentanedial; Glutardialdehyde; Glutaric aldehyde; Pentane-1,5-dial; 1,3-Diformylpropane; Cidex; Sonacide; Ucarcide; Alhydex; Aldesan; Glutarol; Hospex; Wavicide; Metricide; Omnicide
Chemical Identity and Properties:
Glutaraldehyde is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a sharp, pungent, characteristic aldehyde odor . It is a dialdehyde, containing two aldehyde functional groups (-CHO) at opposite ends of a five-carbon chain. The compound is highly reactive and readily polymerizes, particularly in the presence of water or air. It is typically supplied and used as an aqueous solution, with common concentrations ranging from 2% to 50% .
Physical Properties:
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow clear liquid 
Odor: Sharp, pungent aldehyde odor 
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 
Flash Point: 100 °C (non-flammable under normal conditions) 
Autoignition Temperature: 395 °C 
pH (as supplied): >3.0 (aqueous solution) 
Solubility: Miscible with water, ethanol, chloroform, diethyl ether, and most organic solvents 
Stability: Polymerizes on exposure to air and light; sensitive to heat 
Chemical Reactivity and Stability:
Glutaraldehyde is a reactive compound that undergoes several transformations:
Polymerization: Readily polymerizes in the presence of water and air, forming a glossy polymer 
Cross-linking: Reacts with proteins, amines, and thiols to form stable cross-links, which is the basis for many of its applications 
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases, ammonia, amines, ketones, alcohols, hydrazines, and proteins 
Alkaline Solutions: Activated glutaraldehyde solutions (alkaline) react with alcohol, ketones, amines, hydrazines, and proteins 
Manufacturing Process:
Glutaraldehyde is produced industrially through several methods:
Pyridine method: Reduction of dihydropyridine with sodium metal and methanol 
Cyclopentene oxidation: Catalytic oxidation of cyclopentene
Pentanediol oxidation: Oxidation of 1,5-pentanediol
Pyran method: From dihydropyran derivatives
The product is typically obtained as an aqueous solution and stabilized with additives to prevent polymerization.
Applications:
1. Sterilization and Disinfection:
 Glutaraldehyde is a high-level disinfectant and sterilant widely used in healthcare settings:
Medical equipment: Cold sterilization of heat-sensitive medical instruments including endoscopes, surgical instruments, dialysis equipment, and thermometers 
Dental equipment: Sterilization of dental instruments and barber equipment 
Hospital disinfectant: Broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores 
2. Industrial Water Treatment:
Cooling water systems: Biocide for controlling microbial growth in recirculating cooling towers 
Oil and gas recovery: Used in drilling muds, produced water treatment, and oil storage systems 
Reverse osmosis membranes: Preservative for membrane systems
Wastewater treatment: Microbiocide for industrial wastewater systems 
3. Tissue Fixation and Microscopy:
Histology and cytology: Fixative for preserving tissue morphology for electron microscopy and light microscopy 
Biological specimen preservation: Cross-links proteins to maintain cellular structure 
4. Leather Tanning:
 Used as a tanning agent in the leather industry, providing softness and water resistance to leather products 
5. Cross-linking Agent:
Polymer chemistry: Cross-linking agent for gelatin, poly(vinyl alcohol), polyheptapeptides, and proteins 
Biotechnology: Stabilization of proteins on agarose beads; activation of polystyrene and glass for immobilization of antibodies and antigens 
Coupling agent: Coupling peptides onto carrier proteins 
6. Industrial Preservation:
Cosmetics: Preservative in cosmetic formulations 
Paints and coatings: Preservative for water-based coatings, latex paints, inks, and dyes 
Adhesives: Preservation of adhesives 
Paper industry: Slimicide in paper and paperboard manufacturing 
Metalworking fluids: Preservative for metalworking fluid systems 
7. Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications:
Hyperhidrosis treatment: Pharmacological agent used for excessive sweating 
Antifungal: Treatment of fungal infections 
Wart treatment: Used for treating warts and some bullous diseases 
Herpes infections: Used in the treatment of herpes infections 
8. Photography:
X-ray processing: Used in X-ray processing solutions and film emulsion 
Gelatin hardening: Hardener for photographic gelatin 
9. Textile Industry:
Finishing processes: Improves wrinkle resistance and durability of fabrics 
10. Chemical Intermediate:
Synthesis: Intermediate in the classical synthesis of pseudopelleterine and other organic compounds 
Production: Intermediate for the production of resins, dyestuffs, pharmaceuticals, and photographic films 
11. Embalming:
 Used in embalming fluids for preservation of biological specimens 
12. Agriculture and Food:
Antimicrobial agent: Used in agricultural, food handling, and fish farming applications 
Poultry industry: Fogging and cleaning of poultry houses 

SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT 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