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Phthalaldehyde

Names
IUPAC name o-Phthalaldehyde
Other names o-Phthalic dicarboxaldehyde Benzene-1,2-dicarboxaldehyde Phthaldialdehyde
Identifiers
CAS Number	643-79-8
ECHA InfoCard	100.010.367
RTECS number	TH6950000
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6032514
Properties
Chemical formula	C8H6O2
Molar mass	134.13 g/mol
Appearance	yellow solid
Melting point	114-116 °C
Solubility	organic solvents
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C , 100 kPa). Y verify (what is  ?) Infobox references

o-Phthalaldehyde or ortho-phthalaldehyde is the chemical compound with the formula C₆H₄(CHO)₂. Often abbreviated OPA, the molecule is a dialdehyde, consisting of two formyl (CHO) groups attached to adjacent carbon centres on a benzene ring. This pale yellow solid is a building block in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds and a reagent in the analysis of amino acids.

Synthesis

The molecule was first described in 1887 when it was prepared from α,α,α',α’-tetrachloro-ortho-xylene. A more modern synthesis is similar: the hydrolysis of the related tetrabromoxylene using potassium oxalate, followed by purification by steam distillation. The reactivity of OPA is complicated by the fact that with water it forms both a mono- and dihydrate, C₆H₄(CHO)(CH₂OH) and C₆H₄(CH₂OH)₂, respectively.

Isomeric phthalaldehydes

Related to o-phthalaldehyde are the meta and para isomers, which are respectively named isophthalaldehyde (m.p. 87-88 °C, CAS# 626-19-7) and terephthalaldehyde (m.p. 114-116 °C, CAS# 623-27-8).

Biochemistry

Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) is well soluble, and stable in water solution at pH<11.5. It is however sensitive to UV illumination and air oxidation.

OPA is used as a very sensitive fluorescent reagent for assaying amines or sulfhydryls in solution, notably contained in proteins, peptides, and aminoacids, by capillary electrophoresis and chromatography. OPA reacts specifically with primary amines above their isoelectric point Pi in presence of thiols. OPA reacts also with thiols in presence of an amine such as n-propylamine or 2-aminoethanol. The method is spectrometric (optical absorbance at 436-475nm (max 455nm) with excitation at 330-390nm (max.340nm)) .

Disinfection

Ortho-phthalaldehyde is commonly used as a high-level disinfectant for medical instruments. Disinfection with OPA is indicated for semi-critical instruments that come into contact with mucous membranes or broken skin, such as specula, laryngeal mirrors, and internal ultrasound probes.

Poly(phthalaldehyde)

Phthalaldehyde can be polymerized. In the polymer, one of the oxygen atoms forms a bridge to the other non-ring carbon of the same phthalaldehyde unit, while the other bridges to a non-ring carbon of another phthalaldehyde unit. Poly(phthalaldehyde) is used in making a photoresist.

References

1. Colson, A.; Gautier, H. "Nouveau Mode de Chloruration des Carbures" Annales de Chimie (Paris), 1887, volume 6, number 11, pp. 28.
2. Bill J. C.; Tarbell, D. S. “o-Phthalaldehyde” Organic Syntheses, Collected Volume 4, p.807 (1963). http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV4P0807.pdf
3. Zuman, H. "Reactions of Orthophthalaldehyde with Nucleophiles" Chemical Reviews 2004; volume 104, pp. 3217-3238. doi:10.1021/cr0304424
4. Protocol by Uptima
5. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. "Infection Control in the Physician's Office". 2004 edition. http://www.cpso.on.ca/Publications/infectioncontrolv2.pdf

External links

• Aldehydes
• Aromatic compounds