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Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is an aromatic dialdehyde used as a high-level disinfectant and antimicrobial active for medical device reprocessing and industrial hygiene applications.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is widely used in aqueous disinfectant solutions where rapid, broad-spectrum microbicidal performance is required against bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and many viruses under controlled use conditions.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is valued for strong efficacy at low concentrations, good material compatibility for many device types, and practical use in automated endoscope reprocessors and manual soaking systems.
CAS Number: 643-79-8
EC Number: 211-402-2
Molecular Formula: C8H6O2
Molecular Weight: 134.13 g/mol
Synonyms: Ortho-Phthalaldehyde, o-Phthalaldehyde, OPA, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxaldehyde, Benzene-1,2-dicarboxaldehyde, o-Phthaldialdehyde, Phthaldialdehyde (ortho), Ortho Phthalic Aldehyde (common misspelling), OPA Disinfectant Active, Ortho-Phthalaldehyde Solution, High-Level Disinfectant OPA, Ortho-Phthalaldehyde, o-Phthalaldehyde, OPA, 1,2-Phthalaldehyde, Benzene-1,2-dicarboxaldehyde, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxaldehyde, Phthalic Dialdehyde, o-Phthalic Dialdehyde, Phthalaldehyde, 1,2-Phthalic Dicarboxaldehyde, Orthophthalaldehyde, O-Phthalaldehyde, ortho-Phthalic Aldehyde, o-Phthalic Aldehyde, Benzene-1,2-dialdehyde, 1,2-Benzenedialdehyde, Phthalal, o-Phthalal, Phthalaldehyde Reagent, OPA Reagent Grade, OPA Analytical Grade, OPA Laboratory Grade, OPA Technical Grade, OPA Industrial Grade, OPA High Purity, OPA 99%, OPA Crystalline, OPA Solid, OPA Aldehyde Reagent, OPA Derivatization Reagent, OPA Fluorescent Reagent, OPA Amino Acid Reagent, OPA Amine Detection Reagent, OPA Chromatography Reagent, OPA HPLC Reagent, OPA LC Reagent, OPA GC Derivatization Reagent, OPA Analytical Reagent, OPA Synthesis Reagent, OPA Chemical Intermediate, OPA Fine Chemical, OPA Specialty Chemical, OPA Disinfectant Intermediate, OPA Biocide Intermediate, OPA Sterilant Chemical, OPA Antimicrobial Agent, OPA Dialdehyde Compound, Aromatic Dialdehyde OPA, Aromatic Aldehyde OPA, Benzene Dialdehyde OPA, Phthalaldehyde Solution, OPA Solution Grade, OPA Purified Grade, OPA Pure Grade, OPA Lab Chemical, OPA Research Grade, OPA Pharma Intermediate, OPA Medical Disinfectant Grade, OPA Cold Sterilant Grade, OPA Instrument Disinfectant Chemical, OPA Endoscope Disinfectant Chemical, OPA Protein Detection Reagent, OPA Fluorogenic Reagent, OPA Amino Detection Agent, OPA Primary Amine Reagent, OPA Derivatizing Agent, OPA Labeling Reagent, OPA Organic Reagent, OPA Aldehyde Compound
APPLICATIONS
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used as a high-level disinfectant for flexible endoscopes in healthcare reprocessing workflows.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in automated endoscope reprocessors where controlled exposure and rinsing cycles are required.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used for manual soaking of heat-sensitive medical devices that cannot be steam sterilized.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used to disinfect respiratory therapy equipment when high-level disinfection is needed between uses.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used for reprocessing anesthesia equipment components that require broad-spectrum antimicrobial control.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used for disinfecting reusable surgical instruments when validated for the device and workflow.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in hospital central sterile departments as part of chemical high-level disinfection programs.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in clinics and outpatient centers to support safe turnaround of semi-critical devices.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in dental clinics for high-level disinfection of compatible instruments and accessories.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in laboratory settings to disinfect equipment and surfaces where strong antimicrobial performance is required.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in biotechnology facilities for decontamination of tools and contact surfaces in controlled areas.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in research laboratories to reduce contamination risk in workflow-critical spaces.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing to support hygiene programs in controlled environments.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in cleanroom-adjacent disinfection protocols when compatible with facility procedures.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in production support areas where periodic high-level disinfection is necessary.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in industrial hygiene applications where broad-spectrum disinfection of equipment is required.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used for decontamination of tools used in high-bio-burden environments under controlled handling.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used where a non-oxidizing high-level disinfectant is preferred for certain material sets.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in medical device validation studies as a reference disinfectant for compatibility and efficacy testing.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in quality systems that require verification of high-level disinfection performance.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used where consistent dosing and contact-time control supports reproducible disinfection outcomes.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in wastewater and effluent management contexts only as part of controlled disposal protocols for spent disinfectant solutions.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used where neutralization or treatment steps are required before discharge according to local regulations.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in facility safety programs that manage chemical disinfectant residues responsibly.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in specialized antimicrobial formulations where aldehyde chemistry provides strong microbicidal activity.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in blends designed to improve stability and reduce volatility compared with some alternative aldehydes.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is valued in professional disinfection because Ortho-Phthalaldehyde provides rapid, broad-spectrum efficacy under validated conditions.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used as a high-level disinfectant for heat-sensitive medical devices.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is applied to reprocess flexible endoscopes and related accessories.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports rapid disinfection cycles compared with some traditional aldehydes.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in hospitals and clinics for instrument disinfection in automated reprocessors.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps achieve consistent contact coverage in closed-loop systems.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports standardized reprocessing protocols for critical equipment.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used for disinfecting respiratory therapy equipment that cannot be steam sterilized.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps reduce microbial load on masks, tubing, and connectors.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports safe turnaround between patients when used per validated procedures.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in dental and outpatient settings for disinfecting reusable items that require high-level disinfection.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports reprocessing of select dental instruments and components.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps reduce cross-contamination risks in high-throughput workflows.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is applied in pharmaceutical manufacturing environments for disinfecting certain process-contact equipment.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports sanitation programs where materials are incompatible with harsh oxidizers.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps maintain bioburden control in controlled areas.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in laboratory biosafety programs to disinfect equipment surfaces and components.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps inactivate a broad range of microorganisms under appropriate conditions.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports validated decontamination procedures in research facilities.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in veterinary clinics for disinfection of heat-sensitive diagnostic tools.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports reprocessing of endoscope-like devices used in animal care.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps maintain hygiene standards in clinical veterinary environments.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used as a biocidal active in specialty disinfectant formulations for healthcare.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is formulated with buffers and stabilizers to maintain effectiveness.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports controlled pH operation for optimized antimicrobial performance.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is applied in surface disinfection formulations for certain high-risk areas.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde can be used for targeted decontamination where compatibility is critical.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports cleaning-and-disinfection sequences in validated SOPs.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in cleanroom support operations for periodic disinfection rotations.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports rotation strategies to manage microbial adaptation pressure.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde can complement oxidizing and quaternary disinfectant programs.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in the preparation of diagnostic reagents for biochemical assays.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde reacts with primary amines to form detectable derivatives.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports sensitive detection of amino acids and amine-containing compounds.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used for pre-column derivatization in HPLC analysis of amino acids.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde enables rapid formation of fluorescent derivatives in suitable conditions.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports low-level quantification of amino acids in complex matrices.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in fluorescence-based protein and peptide analysis workflows.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps tag amine groups for enhanced signal detection.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports method development for trace-level biomolecule measurement.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is applied in quality control laboratories for amino acid profiling in pharmaceuticals.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports release testing where amino acid composition must be verified.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde improves analytical sensitivity and repeatability in validated methods.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in food and beverage laboratories for amino acid and amine analysis.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports measurement of amino acid content for nutrition labeling studies.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps detect biogenic amines in certain quality investigations.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in environmental laboratories for analyzing amines in water samples.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports derivatization of amine pollutants prior to chromatographic detection.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde improves detection limits in trace analysis workflows.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in industrial chemistry laboratories to monitor amine-functional intermediates.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports tracking of reaction progress in amination processes.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps quantify residual amines in finished products.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is applied in polymer and resin R&D to characterize amine curing agents.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports analysis of primary amines used in epoxy curing systems.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps measure free amine levels that impact cure and performance.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in coatings and adhesives QC to quantify amine-based additives.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports checking batch-to-batch consistency of amine-containing components.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps verify compliance with internal specifications.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in biochemical research for labeling amino groups in proteins.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports studies of protein modification and structure–function relationships.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps generate fluorescent products for detection and quantification.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in microbiology labs to evaluate disinfectant efficacy against test organisms.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports challenge testing under standardized exposure conditions.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps generate comparative performance data for formulation screening.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in healthcare training and validation programs for instrument reprocessing.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports competency checks tied to contact time and concentration control.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps standardize reprocessing outcomes across shifts and teams.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in instrument maintenance cycles where biofilm risk must be minimized.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports periodic deep disinfection steps in reprocessing workflows.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps reduce persistent contamination on complex device surfaces.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in specialty chemical synthesis as a dialdehyde building block.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde participates in reactions to form heterocycles and functional intermediates.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports production of fine chemicals where aromatic dialdehydes are required.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in academic laboratories for teaching derivatization and fluorescence detection.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports experiments demonstrating selective reaction with primary amines.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps illustrate analytical chemistry concepts in practical lab sessions.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in method development for capillary electrophoresis detection of amines.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports fluorescent tagging for improved detection sensitivity.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps enable rapid screening of amino compounds in research samples.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in forensic and clinical research assays that quantify amine-containing biomarkers.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports sensitive detection where sample volume is limited.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps improve signal-to-noise in fluorescence-based measurement.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in quality control of disinfectant products to verify active content and stability.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports analytical testing of aldehyde concentration during shelf-life studies.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps confirm performance consistency across production lots.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is used in formulation research to optimize high-level disinfectant performance.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde supports evaluation of buffers, surfactants, and stabilizers for compatibility.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde helps balance efficacy, materials compatibility, and user safety considerations.
DESCRIPTION
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is typically supplied as an aqueous solution or concentrate and can appear as a clear to pale yellow liquid.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is a reactive aromatic dialdehyde that exerts antimicrobial action through interaction with microbial proteins and cellular components.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is a non-oxidizing disinfectant active that can provide high-level disinfection at relatively low use concentrations.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is associated with potential sensitization and can stain skin and certain materials, so careful handling is required.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde solutions are typically used with strict contact-time, temperature, and rinse requirements to ensure safe device reprocessing.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde compatibility depends on device materials, elastomers, adhesives, and exposure cycles, so validated guidance should be followed.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde should be stored in tightly closed containers and protected from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde should not be mixed with incompatible chemicals, and it should be kept away from strong oxidizers and strong bases.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde should be used only in well-controlled professional settings with appropriate exposure controls and training.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is an aromatic dialdehyde with two aldehyde groups on an ortho-substituted benzene ring.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is typically supplied as a pale yellow crystalline solid or as an aqueous solution in commercial disinfectants.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde has a strong reactivity toward primary amines under suitable conditions.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is known for broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity when formulated for high-level disinfection.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde can be effective against many bacteria, mycobacteria, and some viruses with proper contact time.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde performance depends on concentration, temperature, pH, and organic soil load.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is valued in healthcare because it can provide high-level disinfection at relatively mild temperatures.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde is often associated with shorter reprocessing times compared with certain alternative aldehydes.
Ortho-Phthalaldehyde requires thorough rinsing of devices after disinfection to reduce residue risk.
PROPERTIES
Chemical Formula: C8H6O2
Molecular Weight: 134.13 g/mol
Common Name: Ortho-Phthalaldehyde (OPA)
Chemical Nature: Aromatic dialdehyde (non-oxidizing antimicrobial active)
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow liquid (commonly supplied as aqueous solution)
Odor: Mild to sharp characteristic odor (solution dependent)
Solubility: Soluble in water in formulated solutions; soluble in many polar organic solvents (grade dependent)
pH (use solution): Typically mildly acidic to near neutral (formulation dependent)
Reactivity: Reactive aldehyde; can react with amines and proteins
Stability: Stable under recommended storage; degrades with strong bases, strong oxidizers, and prolonged heat exposure
Flash Point: Typically not applicable for aqueous solutions; concentrates may vary by formulation
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed, protected from light
Shelf Life: Typically 12–24 months in original packaging (supplier dependent)
FIRST AID
Inhalation:
Move to fresh air immediately if vapors or mists are inhaled.
Seek medical attention if coughing, wheezing, or respiratory irritation persists.
Keep the person at rest and monitor breathing.
Skin Contact:
Remove contaminated clothing immediately and rinse skin with plenty of water.
Wash with soap and water after thorough rinsing.
Seek medical attention if irritation, staining, or sensitization symptoms develop.
Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes and continue rinsing.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek immediate medical attention due to risk of serious eye irritation.
Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water and do not induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Seek immediate medical attention and show product information if available.
Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically and supportively.
Consider sensitization potential and chemical irritation from aldehyde exposure.
Monitor respiratory status if aerosol exposure was significant.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including chemical-resistant gloves, protective eyewear or face shield, and protective clothing.
Avoid skin and eye contact and avoid breathing vapors or mists.
Use closed handling systems when possible and minimize splashes during pouring and device immersion.
Ventilation:
Use local exhaust or general ventilation to control vapor and aerosol levels.
Provide adequate ventilation in reprocessing rooms and soaking areas.
Avoid use in poorly ventilated spaces and follow occupational exposure controls.
Storage:
Store in original, tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Keep away from strong bases, strong oxidizers, and incompatible reactive chemicals.
Keep containers properly labeled and secured to prevent unauthorized access.
Spill and Leak Procedures:
Evacuate unnecessary personnel and ventilate the area.
Contain the spill with inert absorbent and collect into suitable containers.
Clean the area with water after collection if permitted by site procedures and dispose according to local regulations.
Handling Precautions:
Use only in professional settings with validated procedures for contact time, temperature, and thorough rinsing.
Do not mix with other disinfectants unless the mixture is explicitly validated for safety and performance.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices and follow supplier instructions for safe use and disposal.
