What is "glyoxal"

Glyoxal \Gly*ox"al\, n. [Glycol + oxalic + aldehyde.] (Chem.) A white, amorphous, deliquescent powder, (CO.H)2, obtained by the partial oxidation of glycol. It is a double aldehyde, between glycol and oxalic acid.

n. (context organic compound English) The dialdehyde ''ethanedial'' derived from ethylene glycol; it is used in the preparation of modified starch for the paper industry.

Glyoxal is an organic compound with the chemical formula OCHCHO. It is a yellow-colored liquid that evaporates to give a green-colored gas. Glyoxal is the smallest dialdehyde (two aldehyde groups). Its structure is more complicated than typically represented because the molecule hydrates and oligomerizes. It is produced industrially as a precursor to many products.