Glyoxylic acid monohydrate

Glyoxylic acid monohydrate (CAS 563-96-2), also known as formylformic acid, is a bifunctional organic acid used across pharmaceutical synthesis, cosmetic formulation, and specialty chemical manufacturing. Its dual aldehyde-acid reactivity makes it a valued building block and intermediate where controlled reactivity under mild conditions is required for complex chemical reactions.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it serves as a key intermediate in the synthesis of active ingredients, including amino acids such as D,L-mandelic acid and vanillin precursors. Hair care formulators use it as the active agent in keratin-based straightening treatments, where it crosslinks hair proteins under heat to reshape fiber structure safely.

This material serves as a direct replacement for formaldehyde in professional salon products. In textile and paper processing, it functions as a fixative and crosslinking agent. It improves dimensional stability and wet strength for cellulose-based substrates. Water treatment applications rely on its chelating capacity to sequester metal ions effectively.

Glyoxylic acid monohydrate is commercially available as an aqueous solution, most commonly at 50% concentration. Technical and industrial grades are standard across the market. Pharmaceutical-grade material is available for regulated synthesis applications. Packaging ranges from drums to IBC containers depending on specific volume requirements.