Glycolic acid (or hydroxyacetic acid; chemical formula HOCH₂CO₂H) is a colorless, odorless and hygroscopic crystalline solid, highly soluble in water. It is used in various skin-care products. Glycolic acid is widespread in nature. A glycolate (sometimes spelled "glycollate") is a salt or ester of glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Hydroxyacetic acid
Other names Hydroacetic acid 2-Hydroxyethanoic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	79-14-1 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:17497 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL252557 Y
ChemSpider	737 Y
DrugBank	DB03085 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.001.073
EC Number	201-180-5
KEGG	C00160 Y
PubChem CID	757
RTECS number	MC5250000
UNII	0WT12SX38S Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID0025363
InChI InChI=1S/C2H4O3/c3-1-2(4)5/h3H,1H2,(H,4,5) Y Key: AEMRFAOFKBGASW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C2H4O3/c3-1-2(4)5/h3H,1H2,(H,4,5) Key: AEMRFAOFKBGASW-UHFFFAOYAR
SMILES OC(=O)CO
Properties
Chemical formula	C2H4O3
Molar mass	76.05 g/mol
Appearance	White, powdery solid
Density	1.49 g/cm3
Melting point	75 °C (167 °F; 348 K)
Boiling point	Decomposes
Solubility in water	70% solution
Solubility in other solvents	Alcohols, acetone, acetic acid and ethyl acetate
log P	−1.05
Acidity (pKa)	3.83
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Corrosive
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H302, H314, H332 Preview warning: Omit Rules: keep H314, omit H318
Precautionary statements	P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P312, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P304+P312, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P312, P321, P330, P363, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	3 1
Flash point	129 °C (264 °F; 402 K)
Related compounds
Related α-hydroxy acids	Lactic acid
Related compounds	Glycolaldehyde Acetic acid Glycerol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references