Physical Properties of Glycolic Acid
| Chemical formula | C2H4O3 |
|---|---|
| IUPAC Name | Hydroxyacetic acid |
| Molar mass | 76.05 g/mol |
| Appearance | White powdery solid |
| Odour | odourless |
| Density | 1.49 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 75 °C |
| Boiling point | Decomposes |
| Solubility | soluble in water, ether, and alcohols, acetone, and acetic acid |
| Hydrogen Bond Donor Count | 2 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count | 3 |
| Rotatable Bond Count | 1 |
| Acidity (pKa) | 3.83 |
Glycolic Acid Formula
Glycolic acid is a colorless, odourless, and hygroscopic crystalline solid with the chemical formula C2H4O3. It is also known as hydroacetic acid, or 2-hydroxyethanoic acid, and its IUPAC name is hydroxyacetic acid. It is a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is acetic acid where the methyl group has been hydroxylated. It is an alpha hydroxy acid that has antibacterial, antioxidant, keratolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is functionally related to acetic acid and is slightly stronger than it. The salts or esters of glycolic acid are called glycolates. It is widespread in nature and can be separated from natural sources like sugarcane, sugar beets, pineapple, cantaloupe, and unripe grapes. It is used in the textile industry as a dyeing and tanning agent.