[News & Trends]:The difference between glyoxylate and acetic acid

Glyoxalic acid and acetic acid are common chemical substances that have wide applications in fields such as chemical engineering and medicine. However, many people are not clear about the difference between these two substances. The following will introduce the differences between glyoxylate and acetic acid from the aspects of chemical structure, properties, and uses, to help readers better understand


1、 The chemical formula of glyoxylate is C2H4O3, which is a carboxylic acid, an organic compound with a carboxyl group (- COOH). The chemical formula of acetic acid is C2H4O2, which is an ester compound obtained by esterification reaction of ethanol and acetic anhydride. From a chemical structure perspective, although both glyoxylate and acetic acid contain ethyl groups, their functional groups are different, namely carboxyl and carboxylate ester groups


2、 Property 

Glyoxylate is a solid that appears as white crystals at room temperature and has a strong corrosive and irritating odor. Acetic acid is a colorless and transparent liquid with a vinegar flavor. In terms of properties, glyoxylate is more active and easily reacts with other substances, while acetic acid is relatively stable


3、 Usage: Due to its strong corrosiveness, acetaldehyde is commonly used in industrial deoxidation and anti-corrosion treatment. Acetic acid is commonly used in the production of acetate fibers and food processing. In addition, acetaldehyde is also an important organic synthesis intermediate, widely used in industries such as medicine, dyes, and spices. Acetic acid, as an acidic substance, can be used in fields such as food, medicine, and cosmetics


In summary, there are significant differences in chemical structure, properties, and uses between glyoxylate and acetic acid. In practical applications, it is necessary to select appropriate chemical substances based on specific situations to ensure product quality and production safety.