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Industrial
Chemical Manufacturing |
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Glycolic
Acid has one of the smallest organic molecules with
both acid and alcohol functionality, resulting in
unique chemical attributes. Occurring naturally
in sugarcane, beets, grapes and fruits, Water Chemcial
synthesizes the product through a purpose built
manufacturing process.
Salts & Complexes
Glycolic Acid uses both the hydroxyl and carboxylic
acid groups to form five-member ring complexes (chelates)
with polyvalent metals. This complexing ability
is useful in dissolution of hard-water scale and
prevention of deposition, especially in cleaning
applications where rinsibility is a factor. Glycolic
Acid readily forms typical salts with active metals,
metal oxides and bases.
Oxidation & Reduction
Glycolic Acid undergoes typical oxidation reactions
to give glyoxylic acid and oxalic acid, and reduction
reactions with active metals to form acetic acid.
Ester Formation
Glycolic Acid undergoes reactions with organic alcohols
and acids to form esters. Computer simulations and
laboratory studies of solvency suggest that the
low molecular weight alkyl glycolic esters have
unusual solvency properties and may be used as a
substitute for n- and iso-propanol, ethylenediamine,
phenol, m-cresol, 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (EE acetate),
and ethyl and methyl lactate. Higher molecular weight
alkyl esters can be used in personal care product
formulations.
Glycolic Acid reacts with itself to form dimeric
glycolide, head-to-tail polyester oligomers and
long-chain polymers. Copolymers can be made with
other alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid. Polyester
polymers gradually hydrolyze in aqueous environments
at controllable rates, making them useful in biomedical
applications such as dissolvable sutures and wherever
controlled acid release is needed to reduce pH.
Reaction with Organic Amines
Glycolic Acid reacts as a typical organic acid with
organic amines to form amides and amine salts that
are useful as intermediates for synthesis of complex
organic compounds.
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