Glycolaldehyde
![Structures and distribution of glycolaldehyde as a 20% solution in water. Notice that the free aldehyde is a minor component.](/Images/godic/202501/15/Glyoxaldehyde-in20-D2O0025.png")
![Formation of glycolaldehyde in star dust](/Images/godic/202501/15/Formation_of_Glycolaldehyde_in_star_dust0025.png")
![Sugar molecules in the gas surrounding a young Sun-like star.[12]](/Images/godic/202501/15/Sugar_molecules_in_the_gas_surrounding_a_young_Sun-like_star0025.jpg")
Glycolaldehyde is the organic compound with the formula HOCH2-CHO. It is the smallest possible molecule that contains both an aldehyde group and a hydroxyl group. It is a highly reactive molecule that occurs both in the biosphere and in the interstellar medium. It is normally supplied as a white solid.