Diglycolic acid

Diglycolic acid is an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, its acidity is between the one of acetic acid and oxalic acid. It is formed in the oxidation of diethylene glycol in the body and can lead to severe complications with fatal outcome. Diglycolic acid is an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, its acidity is between the one of acetic acid and oxalic acid. It is formed in the oxidation of diethylene glycol in the body and can lead to severe complications with fatal outcome. Oxidation of diethylene glycol with concentrated nitric acid was described by A. Wurtz in 1861 In parallel, W. Heintz reported the synthesis of diglycolic acid from chloroacetic acid by heating with sodium hydroxide solution. In a version with barium hydroxide solution as an alkaline medium, diglycolic acid is obtained in 68% yield after acidification.