α-hydroxybutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of α-hydroxybutyric acid
β-hydroxybutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of β-hydroxybutyric acid
γ-hydroxybutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of γ-hydroxybutyric acid
α-hydroxyisobutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid
β-hydroxyisobutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid

Hydroxybutyric acid is a group of four-carbon organic compounds that have both hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups.[1] They can be viewed as derivatives of butyric acid. The carboxylate anion and the esters of hydroxybutyric acids are known as hydroxybutyrates. β-hydroxybutyric acid is relevant to human health as it is a member of a class of products of fatty acid oxidation referred to as ketone bodies.

The isomers are distinguished by the distance between the two functional groups and the branching.

See also

References

  1. ^ Miltenberger, Karlheinz (2000). "Hydroxycarboxylic Acids, Aliphatic". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a13_507. ISBN 978-3527306732.

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