Glycolic acid
Structural formula | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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General | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Surname | Glycolic acid | |||||||||||||||||||||
other names | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Molecular formula | C 2 H 4 O 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Brief description |
colorless, odorless, hygroscopic solid |
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properties | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Molar mass | 76.05 g mol −1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Physical state |
firmly |
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density |
1.49 g cm −3 |
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Melting point |
76-80 ° C |
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boiling point |
100 ° C (decomposition) |
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Vapor pressure |
10.8 h Pa (80 ° C) |
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pK s value |
3.83 |
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solubility |
very good in water (1000 g l −1 at 25 ° C), acetone , ethanol and diethyl ether |
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safety instructions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Toxicological data | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As far as possible and customary, SI units are used. Unless otherwise noted, the data given apply to standard conditions . |
Glycolic acid ( hydroxyacetic acid ) is the simplest α - hydroxycarboxylic acid with the formula HOCH 2 –COOH. The hydroxymethyl group can be, as in other primary alcohols via the aldehyde ( glyoxylic acid ) to the carboxy group ( oxalic acid ) oxidize.
Occurrence
Glycolic acid is found in unripe grapes , sugar cane juice , sugar beets , the leaves of wild wine and rosemary . As an oxidation product , it is also contained in glacial acetic acid . Due to its natural occurrence, glycolic acid is counted among the fruit acids .
Manufacturing
On a large scale, glycolic acid is synthesized by alkaline hydrolysis of chloroacetic acid:
The synthesis from carbon monoxide , water and formaldehyde is also possible:
- Glycolic acid is produced from formaldehyde, water and carbon monoxide
use
Glycolic acid as a 20% aqueous solution for removal of rust from piping by chelation of calcium - and iron employed ions. In the textile industry, the acid is used for preservation ("finishing") and as a catalyst , in the leather industry for decalcifying animal hides, for chrome tanning and for dyeing. Glycolic acid is also used in synthesis (as a mild organic acid ) and as a starting product for various esters .
In addition, the fruit acid glycolic acid is used for skin care. Here it fulfills a peeling function and thus improves the appearance of the skin.
safety instructions
In its pure form, the combustible glycolic acid has a corrosive effect on the eyes, skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. In animal experiments with rats, guinea pigs and cats, it was found to be only slightly toxic. It showed effects on the ability to smell, breathing disorders, drowsiness and changes in stomach and kidney tissue.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Entry on glycolic acid in the GESTIS substance database of the IFA , accessed on January 17, 2020(JavaScript required) .
- ↑ a b Entry on glycolic acid in the ChemIDplus database of the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM)
- ↑ a b Entry on glycolic acid. In: Römpp Online . Georg Thieme Verlag, accessed on June 13, 2014.
- ↑ Prehled Prumyslove Toxicology; Organicke Latky. Marhold, J., Prague, Czechoslovakia, Avicenum, 1986, p. 656, 1986.
- ↑ Inhalation Toxicology . Vol. 9, p. 435, 1997.
- ↑ a b c Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Vol. 23, p. 259, 1941.