gamma-hydroxybutyraldehyde gamma-hydroxybutyraldehyde γ-hydroxybutyraldehyde is the organic compound with the formula hoch2ch2ch2cho. it is a colorless liquid. the compound occurs in nature and is produced commercially. γ-hydroxybutyraldehyde names preferred iupac name 4-hydroxybutanal other names ghbal, γ-hydroxybutaldehyde, γ-hydroxybutanal identifiers cas number 25714-71-0 y 3d model (jsmol) interactive image chemspider 84042 echa infocard 100.042.900 pubchem cid 93093 unii 8t59p1q6no y comptox dashboard (epa) dtxsid1067128 inchi inchi=1s/c4h8o2/c5-3-1-2-4-6/h3,6h,1-2,4h2key: piaoxuvibakvsp-uhfffaoysa-ninchi=1/c4h8o2/c5-3-1-2-4-6/h3,6h,1-2,4h2key: piaoxuvibakvsp-uhfffaoyav smiles c(cc=o)co properties chemical formula c4h8o2 molar mass 88.106 g·mol−1 appearance colorless liquid density 1.109 g/cm3 (at 12 °c) boiling point 65–68 °c (149–154 °f; 338–341 k) 10 torr except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °c , 100 kpa). infobox references occurrence it is a chemical intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter γ-hydroxybutyric acid (ghb) from 1,4-butanediol (1,4-bd). like 1,4-bd, it also behaves as a prodrug to ghb when taken exogenously. however, as with all aliphatic aldehydes, γ-hydroxybutaldehyde is caustic and is strong-smelling and foul-tasting; thus, actual ingestion of this compound is likely to be unpleasant and result in severe nausea and vomiting. metabolic pathway of ghb.