Glutaraldehyde

Glutaraldehyde is a colourless liquid with a pungent odour used to sterilize medical and dental equipment. It is also used for industrial water treatment and as a chemical preservative. But it is toxic, causing severe eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, along with headaches, drowsiness and dizziness.

Glutaraldehyde is an oily liquid at room temperature (density 1.06 g/mL), and miscible with water, alcohol, and benzene. It is used as a tissue fixative in electron microscopy. It is employed as embalming fluid, is a component of leather tanning solutions, and occurs as an intermediate in the production of certain industrial chemicals.

An isomer of glutaraldehyde has recently been developed by Seachem Laboratories, Inc. as a fertilizer for aquatic plants by providing a source of organic carbon. It is marketed under the name Flourish Excel.

Monomeric glutaraldehyde can polymerize by aldol condensation reacation yielding alpha,beta-unsaturated poly-glutaraldehyde. This reaction ussaly occurs at alkaline pH values.

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