Glycolaldehyde

Glycolaldehyde is the simplest hydroxyaldehyde, with formula C₂H₄O₂. It occurs in interstellar space and forms during the oxidation of ethylene glycol.

Ethylene glycol: Ethylene glycol is a diol with formula C₂H₆O₂, used chiefly in antifreeze and polyester production. Partial oxidation of this diol produces glycolaldehyde.
Interstellar medium: The interstellar medium is the gas and dust between stars in a galaxy. Glycolaldehyde is detected in molecular gas within this environment.
Molecular formula: A molecular formula gives the number of atoms of each element in a molecule. C₂H₄O₂ specifies glycolaldehyde's elemental composition.
Atmospheric chemistry: Atmospheric chemistry studies the chemical composition and reactions of Earth's atmosphere. Glycolaldehyde can form during atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds.
Aldehyde: An aldehyde is an organic compound containing a carbonyl group bonded to at least one hydrogen atom. Glycolaldehyde's carbonyl group belongs to this compound family.
Sagittarius B2: Sagittarius B2 is a massive molecular cloud near the center of the Milky Way. Astronomers detected glycolaldehyde in this molecule-rich cloud.
Structural isomer: Structural isomers have the same molecular formula but different atom connectivity. Glycolaldehyde shares C₂H₄O₂ with compounds such as acetic acid but has different connectivity.
Ethylene oxidation: Ethylene oxidation is the reaction of ethylene with oxidants to form oxygen-containing products. Atmospheric oxidation pathways can produce glycolaldehyde from ethylene.
Alcohol: An alcohol is an organic compound with a hydroxyl group bonded to a saturated carbon atom. Its hydroxyl group gives glycolaldehyde its hydroxyaldehyde classification.
IRAS 16293–2422: IRAS 16293–2422 is a young binary protostellar system in the Rho Ophiuchi star-forming region. Glycolaldehyde has been observed in warm gas surrounding this forming stellar system.

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Glyoxylic acidCompared with: It shares glyoxylic acid’s two-carbon aldehyde framework but lacks a carboxyl group.