Which description correctly describes the structure of glutaraldehyde?

Which description correctly describes the structure of glutaraldehyde?

• A. 4 carbon chain with an aldehyde group on each end.
• B. 5 carbon chain with a ketone group on each end.
• C. 4 carbon chain with an aldehyde group in the middle.
• D. 5 carbon chain with an aldehyde group on each end.

Answer: (D)

Glutaraldehyde is a dialdehyde, meaning it has aldehyde groups at both ends of a carbon chain. Its backbone is five carbons long, so the structure is OHC-(CH2)3-CHO. This makes it a pentanedial, or pentane-1,5-dial. The presence of aldehyde groups on both ends and the five-carbon chain are what define its correct description. The other options either imply a shorter chain, an aldehyde in the middle, or ketone groups at the ends, none of which match glutaraldehyde.

Glutaraldehyde is a dialdehyde, meaning it has aldehyde groups at both ends of a carbon chain. Its backbone is five carbons long, so the structure is OHC-(CH2)3-CHO. This makes it a pentanedial, or pentane-1,5-dial. The presence of aldehyde groups on both ends and the five-carbon chain are what define its correct description. The other options either imply a shorter chain, an aldehyde in the middle, or ketone groups at the ends, none of which match glutaraldehyde.