Glutaraldehyde
[CAS# 111-30-8]

Identification

• Classification: API >> Synthetic anti-infective drugs >> Disinfectant antiseptic
• Name: Glutaraldehyde
• Synonyms: Pentanedial; Glutaric dialdehyde
• Molecular Formula: C₅H₈O₂
• Molecular Weight: 100.12
• CAS Registry Number: 111-30-8
• EC Number: 203-856-5
• SMILES: C(CC=O)CC=O

Properties

• Density: 1.06
• Melting point: -5 °C
• Boiling point: 100 °C
• Refractive index: 1.373
• Water solubility: miscible

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS06;GHS05;GHS08;GHS09 Danger
• Risk Statements: H330-H301-H335-H314-H334-H317-H400-H411
• Safety Statements: P233-P260-P261-P264-P264+P265-P270-P271-P272-P273-P280-P284-P301+P316-P301+P330+P331-P302+P352-P302+P361+P354-P304+P340-P305+P354+P338-P316-P317-P319-P320-P321-P330-P333+P317-P342+P316-P362+P364-P363-P391-P403-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400
Respiratory sensitization	Resp. Sens.	1	H334
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H301
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1B	H314
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H331
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	2	H330
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1A	H317
Substances or mixtures corrosive to metals	Met. Corr.	1	H290
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1C	H314
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	5	H313
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1B	H317
Respiratory sensitization	Resp. Sens.	1B	H334
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	1	H330
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	1	H410
Flammable liquids	Flam. Liq.	3	H226
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H312
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	1	H372
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	1	H370

• Transport Information: UN 2810

Discovery and Applications

Glutaraldehyde, with the chemical formula C5H8O2, is a widely used compound. Glutaraldehyde was first synthesized in the early 1950s when researchers were searching for an effective sterilant and fixative for biological specimens. Its discovery marked a major advancement in chemical sterilization and preservation technology. Glutaraldehyde is an aliphatic dialdehyde consisting of a five-carbon chain with two aldehyde (-CHO) functional groups at the 1 and 5 positions. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent odor. Glutaraldehyde is soluble in water and many organic solvents and has good miscibility in aqueous solutions.

Glutaraldehyde is widely used as a sterilant for medical devices and equipment due to its broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. It effectively crosslinks proteins and disrupts cellular structures, inactivating microorganisms and preventing their proliferation.

In healthcare settings, glutaraldehyde solutions are used as high-level disinfectants for endoscopes, surgical instruments, and other heat-sensitive medical devices. These solutions ensure effective sterilization without compromising the integrity of delicate instruments.

In addition to healthcare, glutaraldehyde is used in a variety of industrial processes, including water treatment, petroleum production, and papermaking. It is used as a biocide in cooling water systems, a cross-linking agent in leather tanning, and a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products.

Glutaraldehyde is a valuable intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and polymers. It participates in reactions to form imines, acetals, and other functional derivatives that aid in the production of a variety of chemical compounds.

Glutaraldehyde is toxic and irritates the skin, eyes, and respiratory system upon direct contact or inhalation. When handling concentrated solutions, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and goggles, should be worn. Used glutaraldehyde solutions require special handling procedures due to their biocidal properties. Prior to disposal, efforts should be made to neutralize or degrade residual glutaraldehyde to minimize environmental impact.

References

2025. Enhanced rare earth element recovery with cross-linked glutaraldehyde-lanthanide binding peptides in foam-based separations. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 678.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.08.225

2025. The optimization of sample preparation on zebrafish larvae in vibrational spectroscopy imaging. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 246.
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.125288

2025. Graphene nanocoating on titanium maintains structural and antibiofilm properties post-sterilization. Dental Materials, 71.
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2024.10.009