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Glutaraldehyde (chemical formula C₅H₈O₂) is a colorless, pungent liquid widely used as a high-level disinfectant, sterilant, and tissue fixative.
Glutaraldehyde is primarily restricted to professional medical, laboratory, and industrial settings.
Glutaraldehyde is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor, which readily changes to a glossy polymer.
CAS Number: 111-30-8
Molecular Formula: C5H8O2
Molecular Weight: 100.12
EINECS Number: 203-856-5
Synonyms: Glutaraldehyde, Glutaral, Glutaraldehyde (INN/USAN/JAN), Glutaric dialdehyde, Glutaric aldehyde, Glutaric acid dialdehyde, Pentanedial, Pentane-1,5-dial, 1,5-Pentanedial, pentane-1,5-dialdehyde, 1,3-Diformylpropane, Dioxopentane, Cidex, Sonacide, Sterihyde, Sterihyde L, Alhydex, Aldesan, Ucarcide, Ucarcide 225, Ucarcide 250, Ucarset, Hospex, Relugan GT, Relugan GTW, Glutaclean, Glutarex 28, Aqucar, Sporicidin, Glutohyde, Gluteral, Novaruca, Gludesin, Protectol GDA, GT 50, Bactron K31, Virsal, Verucasep, Veruca-sep, Panavirocide, Coldcide-25, Glutaralum, Glutaral (INN-Latin), Glutaraldehyde solution (various % in water), Potentiated acid glutaraldehyde, CAS 111-30-8, EC 203-856-5, EINECS 203-856-5, DTXSID6025355, DTXCID605355, CHEBI:64276, UNII T3C89M417N, NSC 13392, RefChem:57623, Glutaraldehyde 50 % solution in water;Glutaraldehyde 8 % solution in water;glutaric dialdehyde solution;GLUTARICDIALDEHYDE,50%INWATER;Glutaraldehybe Soution;Glutardialdehyd;Glutaric dialdehyde, 24 wt.% solution in water;Glutaric dialdehyde, 25% solution in water, E.M. grade, purified
Glutaraldehyde is miscible in water and organic solvents.
Glutaraldehyde may be incompatible with strong oxidizers and strong bases.
Glutaraldehyde should be noted that alkaline solutions containing glutaraldehyde may react with alcohol, ketones, amines, hydrazines, and proteins.
Glutaraldehyde is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)3(CHO)2.
The molecule consists of a five carbon chain doubly terminated with formyl (CHO) groups.
Glutaraldehyde is usually used as a solution in water, and such solutions exist as a collection of hydrates, cyclic derivatives, and condensation products, several of which interconvert.
Because the molecule has two aldehyde functional groups, glutaraldehyde (and its hydrates) can crosslink substances with primary amine groups, through condensation.
Crosslinking can rigidify and deactivate proteins and other molecules that are critical for normal biological function, such as DNA, and so glutaraldehyde solutions are effective biocides and fixatives.
Glutaraldehyde is sold under the brandnames Cidex and Glutaral.
As a disinfectant, it is used to sterilize surgical instruments.
Glutaraldehyde is a highly reactive dialdehyde organic compound with the molecular formula C₅H₈O₂, commonly used as a strong disinfectant, sterilizing agent, and chemical crosslinker in industrial and medical applications.
It typically appears as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a sharp, pungent odor and is usually supplied as an aqueous solution.
This makes it an important biocidal and fixation chemical.
Chemically, glutaraldehyde contains two aldehyde functional groups at each end of a five-carbon chain, which makes it highly reactive toward proteins, amines, and biological molecules.
This reactivity allows it to form strong covalent crosslinks with cellular components.
Glutaraldehyde makes it extremely effective as a sterilizing agent.
In solution, glutaraldehyde exists in equilibrium between monomeric, hydrated, and polymeric forms, which contributes to its broad antimicrobial activity and chemical versatility.
This mixture of forms enhances its reactivity in biological systems.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in biocidal chemistry.
Glutaraldehyde is best described as a powerful industrial disinfectant and crosslinking agent used to inactivate microorganisms and stabilize biological tissues through protein crosslinking reactions.
Its strength lies in its ability to permanently deactivate biological structures.
Glutaraldehyde makes it widely used in medical and industrial sterilization.
Glutaraldehyde is particularly important because it is a bifunctional aldehyde, meaning both ends of the molecule can react independently, allowing it to form extensive crosslinked networks with proteins and biological polymers.
This dual reactivity is what gives it strong fixation and sterilization power.
Glutaraldehyde makes it highly effective in biological deactivation chemistry.
In aqueous solution, glutaraldehyde does not remain as a single simple molecule but instead exists as a mixture of hydrated monomers, cyclic hemiacetals, and oligomeric species that continuously interconvert depending on concentration and pH.
This dynamic equilibrium increases its reactivity toward biological targets.
Glutaraldehyde makes it complex but highly active in solution chemistry.
Its antimicrobial efficiency is strongly influenced by environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, and organic load, since proteins and other organic matter can partially consume or deactivate reactive aldehyde groups.
This is why dosing must be carefully controlled in real applications.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in process-dependent disinfection systems.
In industrial water systems, glutaraldehyde can penetrate biofilms and disrupt microbial colonies embedded within extracellular polymeric substances, which are typically resistant to many conventional disinfectants.
This ability makes it useful in controlling persistent fouling problems.
Glutaraldehyde makes it valuable in biofilm management.
Glutaraldehyde is widely used in industrial and medical chemistry because its reactivity is fast at room temperature, meaning it does not require heating or activation to begin crosslinking proteins and microbial structures.
This makes it practical for applications where heat-sensitive materials must be treated.
Glutaraldehyde makes it useful in low-temperature disinfection systems.
Its antimicrobial action is considered broad-spectrum, covering bacteria, fungi, viruses, and bacterial spores due to its ability to permanently modify essential cellular proteins and enzymes.
This level of activity places it among high-level disinfectants.
This makes it important in sterilization chemistry.
In solution chemistry, glutaraldehyde can undergo polymerization and self-reaction over time, especially under alkaline conditions, which increases molecular complexity and changes its effective reactivity profile.
This means stored solutions may behave differently from freshly prepared ones.
Glutaraldehyde makes stability control important in formulation storage.
The molecule can also participate in crosslinking reactions with synthetic polymers and functional materials containing amine or hydroxyl groups, allowing it to be used beyond biological systems in material modification chemistry.
Glutaraldehyde extends its role into advanced material science applications.
This makes it useful in polymer engineering.
Melting point: -15 °C
Boiling point: 100 °C
Density: 1.058 g/mL at 20 °C
vapor density: 1.05 (vs air)
vapor pressure: 15 mmHg (20 °C)
refractive index: n20/D 1.450
FLAVIS Number: 05.149 | Glutaraldehyde
Flash point: 100 °C
storage temp.: Store below +30°C
solubility: Chloroform (slightly), DMSO (slightly), Ethyl Acetate (slightly), Methanol (slightly)
form: solution
color: clear to slight haze
Specific Gravity: 1.06
pH: >3.0 (H2O, 20 °C)
Odor: pungent aldehyde odor
biological source: synthetic
Water Solubility: miscible
Merck: 14,4472
BRN: 605390
Henry's Law Constant: 3.0×10^2 mol/(m3Pa) at 25 °C
Exposure limits: ACGIH TLV-CEILING 0.05 ppm (0.2 mg/m3)
Stability: light sensitive
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: FRAGRANCE; PRESERVATIVE
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR): Glutaraldehyde (111-30-8)
InChI: 1S/C5H8O2/c6-4-2-1-3-5-7/h4-5H,1-3H2
InChIKey: SXRSQZLOMIGNAQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: [H]C(CCCC([H])=O)=O
LogP: -0.180 (est)
Glutaraldehyde works primarily by reacting with amino groups in proteins and nucleic acids, forming covalent crosslinks that permanently disrupt biological function and prevent microbial growth or reproduction.
This mechanism makes it highly effective against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and spores.
Glutaraldehyde makes it a broad-spectrum biocidal agent.
Glutaraldehyde is a dialdehyde, it is also widely used as a fixative in microscopy and histology, where it preserves biological tissue structure by stabilizing proteins and preventing enzymatic degradation.
This allows detailed examination of cells and tissues under a microscope.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in biological research.
In industrial systems, glutaraldehyde is effective as a non-oxidizing biocide in water treatment, where it controls microbial growth without relying on chlorine-based oxidation chemistry.
This makes it useful in systems sensitive to corrosion or oxidizing agents.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in industrial water treatment.
Its antimicrobial activity is influenced by pH and temperature, with slightly alkaline conditions often enhancing its reactivity and effectiveness against microorganisms.
This allows optimization depending on application requirements.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in process control.
Glutaraldehyde is also used in protein crosslinking applications for enzyme stabilization and biomaterial modification, where controlled reactivity is used to strengthen or immobilize biological structures.
This is important in biotechnology and medical material design.
Glutaraldehyde makes it valuable in bioengineering applications.
Because it is highly reactive, glutaraldehyde can also interact with skin and respiratory tissues, which is why it must be handled with strict exposure controls in occupational environments.
This reactivity is the same property that makes it effective as a disinfectant.
Glutaraldehyde makes safety management critical.
Glutaraldehyde is a well-known sensitizer among cleaners and health workers. It is also found in X-ray developers products.
Glutaraldehyde is considered a highly hazardous chemical due to its strong irritant, sensitizing, and toxic effects on biological tissues even at low concentrations.
Its high reactivity is directly responsible for both its effectiveness and its risks.
Glutaraldehyde makes strict exposure control essential.
Direct exposure can cause severe irritation of the skin and eyes, and repeated exposure may lead to allergic sensitization where even very small amounts trigger strong reactions.
This sensitization effect can become permanent in some individuals.
Glutaraldehyde makes long-term safety management critical.
Inhalation of vapors may lead to respiratory tract irritation, coughing, throat burning, and asthma-like symptoms in sensitive or repeatedly exposed workers.
Proper ventilation and closed systems are required in industrial environments.
Glutaraldehyde makes engineering controls essential.
In biofilm control applications, glutaraldehyde is effective because it can penetrate extracellular polymeric substances and deactivate embedded microorganisms that are otherwise protected from many conventional disinfectants.
This helps prevent recurring contamination in industrial water systems.
Glutaraldehyde makes it valuable in persistent fouling control.
Because it is highly reactive, even small changes in pH, dilution, and contact time can significantly alter its performance, requiring carefully controlled dosing protocols in industrial systems.
Glutaraldehyde sensitivity is a key factor in its practical use.
This makes process optimization essential.
In tissue fixation, it works by forming stable covalent bonds with lysine residues and other amino groups in proteins, effectively “locking” cellular structures in place for microscopic examination.
This preserves fine structural details of biological samples.
Glutaraldehyde makes it essential in histological preparation.
Because of its strong reactivity, glutaraldehyde can also react with non-biological nucleophiles, meaning it may interact with many organic materials including some polymers and surface functional groups under certain conditions.
This broad reactivity contributes to both its usefulness and handling challenges.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in crosslinking chemistry.
Uses:
As broad-spectrum antimicrobial cold sterilant/disinfectant for hospital equipment; as tanning agent for leather; as tissue fixative; as cross-linking agent for proteins; as preservative in cosmetics; as therapeutic agent for warts, hyperhidrosis, and dermal mycotic infections; in X ray processing solutions and film emulsion; as a disinfectant in the beauty industry
Glutaraldehyde is used to disinfect medical and dental equipment. Glutaraldehyde is also used for industrial water treatment and as a preservative.
Glutaraldehyde is used in biochemistry applications as an amine-reactive homobifunctional crosslinker and fixative.
Glutaraldehyde kills cells quickly by crosslinking their proteins.
It is usually employed alone or mixed with formaldehyde[9] as the first of two fixative processes to stabilize specimens such as bacteria, plant material, and human cells.
A second fixative procedure uses osmium tetroxide to crosslink and stabilize cell and organelle membrane lipids.
Glutaraldehyde is a broad-spectrum preservative that can cause skin irritation. This is an amino acid occurring in green sugar beets.
Glutaraldehyde is used as a cold sterilizingdisinfectant, as fixatives for tissues, in tanning,and in cross-linking proteins.
Glutaraldehyde (Symbol GTA; glutaric dialdehyde, 1,5-pentanedial, glutaral) is commonly used in the medical industry in cold sterilization and in the X-ray development process.
It can also be encountered in the leather industry as a tanning ingredient and in mortuary workers.
There are no reports which indicate that glutaraldehyde is a naturally occurring compound.
Cidex and Acusol, 2% buffered solutions, use this aldehyde as an active ingredient.
Glutaraldehyde is required to activate the solution, which then has a shelf life of 1–2 weeks.
Despite health hazards involved with its use, glutaraldehyde is one of the most effective biocides used.
Glutaraldehyde is particularly effective against bacteria and viruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus.
Glutaraldehyde is widely used as a high-level disinfectant in hospitals for sterilizing medical instruments that cannot withstand heat sterilization, such as endoscopes and respiratory equipment.
Glutaraldehyde provides effective microbial decontamination at room temperature.
This makes it essential in medical sterilization.
In water treatment systems, it is used as a non-oxidizing biocide to control bacterial, fungal, and algal growth in cooling towers, pipelines, and industrial process water systems.
This helps prevent biofouling and system inefficiency.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in industrial water management.
In laboratory and research settings, it is used as a fixative for biological tissues in microscopy and histology, preserving cellular structures for detailed analysis.
Glutaraldehyde stabilizes samples for long-term study.
This makes it important in biological research.
In oil and gas operations, it is used to control microbial growth in pipelines and reservoirs, particularly sulfate-reducing bacteria that contribute to corrosion and hydrogen sulfide formation.
This improves system safety and equipment lifespan.
Glutaraldehyde makes it critical in petroleum industry chemistry.
In biotechnology, it is used to crosslink proteins and enzymes, helping stabilize biological materials and improve the durability of bio-based products and immobilized enzyme systems.
This enhances performance in industrial bioprocesses.
Glutaraldehyde makes it useful in bioengineering applications.
In aquaculture, it is sometimes used to control parasitic and microbial infections in water systems under carefully regulated conditions.
This helps maintain water quality and animal health.
Glutaraldehyde makes it relevant in aquatic system management.
Glutaraldehyde is used in high-level disinfection of medical instruments, especially heat-sensitive equipment such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes, and respiratory therapy devices.
It provides rapid and effective microbial inactivation at room temperature.
Glutaraldehyde makes it essential in medical sterilization systems.
In industrial water treatment, it is used as a non-oxidizing biocide to control bacteria, fungi, and algae in cooling towers, pipelines, and recirculating water systems.
It helps prevent biofouling and system efficiency loss.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in water system maintenance.
In oil and gas production, it is used to control sulfate-reducing bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide and contribute to microbiologically influenced corrosion in pipelines and reservoirs.
This improves operational safety and infrastructure durability.
This makes it critical in petroleum system protection.
In laboratory research, it is used as a fixative for biological tissues in microscopy and histology, preserving ultrastructural details for electron and light microscopy analysis.
It stabilizes proteins and cellular architecture.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in biological imaging.
In biotechnology, it is used for protein crosslinking and immobilization of enzymes on supports, enabling reuse and improved stability in industrial biocatalysis systems.
This enhances efficiency in bioprocess engineering.
Glutaraldehyde makes it useful in industrial biotechnology.
In aquaculture and veterinary applications, it is used in controlled disinfection protocols for water systems and equipment to reduce pathogen load under regulated conditions.
It helps maintain hygiene in aquatic environments.
Glutaraldehyde makes it relevant in aquatic health management.
Glutaraldehyde is used in hospital and clinical settings for high-level disinfection of reusable medical instruments that cannot be sterilized by heat, such as endoscopic and respiratory devices.
It ensures rapid microbial inactivation at ambient temperatures.
Glutaraldehyde makes it essential in medical sterilization.
In industrial water treatment, it is used to control microbial growth in cooling towers, pipelines, and recirculating water systems where biofilm formation can reduce efficiency and increase corrosion risk.
It helps maintain clean and efficient system operation.
This makes it important in water system management.
In oil and gas operations, it is used to prevent microbiologically influenced corrosion by controlling sulfate-reducing bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide and damage infrastructure.
This improves safety and extends equipment lifespan.
This makes it critical in petroleum production chemistry.
In laboratory research, it is used as a fixative in histology and electron microscopy to preserve cellular ultrastructure by stabilizing proteins and preventing degradation.
This allows detailed biological imaging and analysis.
Glutaraldehyde makes it important in scientific research.
In biotechnology, it is used for immobilizing enzymes and proteins onto solid supports, improving stability and reusability in industrial biocatalytic processes.
Glutaraldehyde enhances efficiency in biochemical manufacturing.
This makes it valuable in industrial biotechnology.
In aquaculture and controlled sanitation systems, it is used to reduce pathogen levels in water systems and equipment under regulated dosing conditions.
Glutaraldehyde helps maintain biological health in aquatic environments.
This makes it relevant in water hygiene management.
Safety Profile:
Poison by ingestion, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes.
Moderately toxic by inhalation, skin contact, and subcutaneous routes.
Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects.
A severe eye and human skin irritant.
Mutation data reported.
When heated to decomp osition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
Glutaraldehyde is considered a highly hazardous chemical due to its strong irritant, sensitizing, and toxic effects on skin, eyes, and respiratory systems even at low exposure levels.
Its biological reactivity makes it effective but also dangerous in occupational settings.
This makes strict safety control essential.
Direct contact can cause severe skin irritation, allergic sensitization, and eye damage, especially with repeated or prolonged exposure to liquid or vapor forms.
Protective equipment and immediate washing are required after exposure.
Glutaraldehyde makes personal protection critical.
Inhalation of vapors may lead to respiratory irritation, coughing, throat discomfort, breathing difficulty, and potential asthma-like sensitization in exposed individuals.
Proper ventilation and closed handling systems are required.
Glutaraldehyde makes engineering controls essential.
Because it is highly reactive with biological tissues, glutaraldehyde can cause long-term sensitization, meaning even small future exposures may trigger strong allergic reactions in previously sensitized individuals.
This makes occupational exposure limits very strict.
Glutaraldehyde makes long-term safety management important.
Glutaraldehyde is also toxic to aquatic organisms, and environmental release can cause significant ecological harm if not properly treated or neutralized before disposal.
Waste management procedures are therefore required in industrial use.
This makes environmental protection critical.
