lactaldehyde

Lactaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula C3H6O2. It is the aldehyde corresponding to lactic acid and is also known as 2-hydroxypropanal. The molecule contains an aldehyde group at one end and a secondary alcohol on the adjacent carbon, giving the structure HO-CH(CH3)-CHO. It is chiral at the central carbon, so the compound exists as two enantiomers.

In biochemistry, lactaldehyde is recognized as a metabolic intermediate in certain microbial pathways and in the degradation or metabolism of lactic acid–related compounds. It can arise transiently during the breakdown of some sugars by bacteria and may appear in small amounts in biological fluids under specific conditions. Its reactivity is influenced by the adjacent hydroxyl group, which affects how it participates in oxidation, reduction, and other enzymatic or chemical transformations.

Chemically, lactaldehyde behaves as a typical aldehyde bearing a beta-hydroxy substituent. It can be oxidized to lactate (2-hydroxypropanoate) or reduced to 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol). The aldehyde function also makes it amenable to various organic synthesis applications, including routes that rely on carbon–carbon bond formation or functional-group interconversions.

Safety and handling considerations apply to lactaldehyde, as with many small aldehydes. It can be an irritant and should be handled with appropriate precautions in a well-ventilated area, using protective equipment and proper storage. It is typically encountered in research or specialized chemical supply contexts rather than as a bulk industrial chemical.