Structure and Nomenclature
Glyoxylic acid is usually described with the chemical formula OCHCO2H, i.e. containing an aldehyde functional group (see image in upper right). In fact the aldehyde is not observed in solution or as a solid. In general aldehydes with electron-withdrawing substituents often exist mainly as their hydrate. Thus, the formula for glyoxylic acid is really (HO)2CHCO2H, described as the "monohydrate." This diol exists in equilibrium with the dimeric hemiacetal in solution: Henry's law constant of glyoxylic acid is KH = 1.09 × 104 × exp.
- 2 (HO)2CHCO2H O2 + H2O
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