Hydroxyaldehydes
Hydroxyaldehydes are organic compounds that contain both an aldehyde group (CHO) and one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups within the same molecule. They are a subset of carbonyl compounds and are encountered in carbohydrates and in various synthetic contexts. The hydroxy group can be located at different positions relative to the aldehyde, giving alpha-, beta-, or other hydroxyaldehydes. Alpha-hydroxyaldehydes, with the hydroxyl on the carbon adjacent to the aldehyde, are among the most common. The simplest example is glycolaldehyde (2-hydroxyethanal). Lactaldehyde (2-hydroxypropanal) is another representative. Glyceraldehyde is a higher-hydroxyl member of this family, commonly described as a dihydroxyaldehyde.
In solution, hydroxyaldehydes can form hydrates and intramolecular hemiacetals; the alpha-hydroxy arrangement facilitates hemiacetal formation. They
Occurrence and uses: In biology, simple sugars such as glyceraldehyde are hydroxyaldehydes or closely related; as
Production and safety: Hydroxyaldehydes are typically prepared by partial oxidation of polyols or by selective oxidation