Substance profile
Glyoxal
Glyoxal is yellow prisms or irregular pieces turning white on cooling; opaque at 10 °C with a mild odor.
01 · Identification
What Glyoxal is
Glyoxal is yellow prisms or irregular pieces turning white on cooling; opaque at 10 °C with a mild odor. Its molecular formula is C2H2O2 and its molecular weight is 58.04 g/mol. It boils at 51 °C, melts at 15 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
02 · Identifiers
Glyoxal identifiers and molecular data
Glyoxal CAS number and EC number
Glyoxal molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Glyoxal
- glyoxal … %
- ethandial … %
03 · GHS classification
Glyoxal hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Glyoxal pictograms and signal word
Glyoxal hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H332 | GHS07 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Skin sensitisation GHS chapter 3.4 | Category 1 or 1A or 1B | H317 | GHS07 |
| Germ cell mutagenicity GHS chapter 3.5 | Category 2 | H341 | GHS08 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Glyoxal hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Glyoxal. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Glyoxal
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Glyoxal issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Glyoxal precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 18 precautionary statements to Glyoxal. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Glyoxal name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | глиоксал…% етандиал…% |
| Spanish español | Glioxal al … % etanodial al … % |
| Czech čeština | glyoxal…% ethandial…% |
| Danish dansk | glyoxal … % ethandial … % |
| German Deutsch | Glyoxal …% Ethandial …% |
| Estonian eesti | glüoksaal … % etaandiaal … % |
| Greek ελληνικά | γλυοξάλη … % αιθανοδιάλη … % |
| English English | glyoxal…% ethandial…% |
| French français | glyoxal à …% éthanedial à…% |
| Croatian hrvatski | glioksal…% etandial…% |
| Italian italiano | gliossale…% etandiale…% |
| Latvian latviešu | glioksāls, … % etandiāls, … % |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | …% glioksalis …% etandialis |
| Hungarian magyar | glioxál …% etándiál …% |
| Maltese Malti | gliossal …% etandial …% |
| Dutch Nederlands | glyoxal … % ethandial … % |
| Polish polski | glioksal …% etanodial …% |
| Portuguese português | glioxal a ... % etanodial a ... % |
| Romanian română | glioxal...% etandial...% |
| Slovak slovenčina | glyoxál...% etándiál...% |
| Slovenian slovenščina | glioksal ... % etandial ... % |
| Finnish suomi | glyoksaali…% etaanidiaali…% |
| Swedish svenska | glyoxal...% etandial...% |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Glyoxal GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Glyoxal, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Warning
Glyoxal
- Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Harmful if inhaled.
- Causes skin irritation.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF INHALED:
- IF IN EYES:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- If skin irritation or rash occurs:
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Glyoxal in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Glyoxal health hazards and exposure limits
Glyoxal hazard summary
A skin and mucous membrane irritant, but less irritating than formaldehyde; Emergency treatment: Oxalic acid; [HSDB] Glyoxal, a disinfectant, may cause allergic contact dermatitis among healthcare workers. [Marks, p. 339] If left on clothing, can cause reddening of skin; [CHRIS] Dust mixtures with air may be explosive; Rapidly polymerized on standing, contact with water (violently), and mixing in solvents containing water; A moderate skin and mucous membrane irritant; [Merck Index] 40% solution: A skin and eye irritant; May cause skin sensitization; [ICSC] The anhydrous form in unstable and only produced in laboratories; A strong skin sensitizer in a study of 24 humans; [Reference #1] Produced as a human metabolite; Also found in many fermented foods and beverages; Animal studies have shown the pancreas and kidney as the target organs; [Reference #2] A mild skin and severe eye irritant; Causes other liver changes and acute tubular necrosis in dermal lethal-dose studies of rabbits; [RTECS]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Glyoxal properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Glyoxal boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 51 °C (123.8 °F) | at 776 mmHg | HSDB |
| 51.11 °C (124 °F) | at 776 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 104 °C (219.2 °F) | ICSC |
Glyoxal melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 15 °C (59 °F) | HSDB | |
| -14 °C (6.8 °F) | ICSC |
Glyoxal density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.14 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.29 g/cm³ | at 20 °C, liquid,40% solution | CAMEO |
Glyoxal solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Sol in anhydrous solvents | HSDB | |
| greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992) | at 22.22 °C | CAMEO | |
| In water, miscible at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Glyoxal vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 18 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
| 18.0015 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 255 mmHg | at 25 °C, extrapolated | HSDB |
Glyoxal flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 220 °C (428 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 100 °C (212 °F) | above this value | ICSC |
Glyoxal autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 285 °C (545 °F) | CAMEO |
Glyoxal lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Mixtures with air may explode. | HSDB |
Glyoxal vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 1.27 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Glyoxal critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 221.85 °C (431.3 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Glyoxal fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Fire and explosion
Mixing glyoxal and /chlorosulfonic acid, ethyleneimine, oleum, nitric acid, or sodium hydroxide/...in a closed container caused temperature and pressure to increase.
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
Glyoxal storage and handling
Glyoxal safe storage
Well closed.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Glyoxal storage conditions
Well closed.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Glyoxal incompatible materials
Mixture of vapor and air may explode.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Glyoxal reactivity
GLYOXAL reacts vigorously with strong oxidizing agents such as nitric acid. Polymerizes rapidly even at low temperature if anhydrous [Noller]. Aqueous solutions are more stable but also polymerize on standing. Reacts with itself in the presence of base to give glyconates. Undergoes addition and condensation reactions that may be exothermic with amines, amides, aldehydes, and hydroxide-containing materials. Mixing in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, ethyleneimine, nitric acid, sodium hydroxide [NFPA 1991].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Glyoxal in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Glyoxal — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Glyoxal?
The CAS number of Glyoxal is 107-22-2. Its EC number is 203-474-9.
What is the chemical formula of Glyoxal?
The molecular formula of Glyoxal is C2H2O2 and its molecular weight is 58.04 g/mol.
What does a Glyoxal label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Glyoxal carries the pictograms Exclamation mark and Health hazard and the signal word is Warning.
Is Glyoxal flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Glyoxal no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 220 °C (428 °F) (CAMEO).
Is Glyoxal a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Glyoxal. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the boiling point of Glyoxal?
The boiling point reported for Glyoxal is 51 °C (123.8 °F), at 776 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Glyoxal?
The melting point reported for Glyoxal is 15 °C (59 °F) (HSDB).
How should Glyoxal be stored?
Well closed. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Glyoxal
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