2hydroxy3methylbutanoic
2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H12O3. It is a branched-chain alpha-hydroxy acid. The molecule features a five-carbon chain, with a hydroxyl group attached to the second carbon and a methyl group attached to the third carbon. The carboxyl group is located at the end of the chain. The presence of chiral centers at the second and third carbon atoms means that 2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid can exist as multiple stereoisomers. These stereoisomers may exhibit different physical and chemical properties. Its precise role or applications in various fields are not extensively documented in readily available public literature, suggesting it may be a less commonly studied or industrially significant compound compared to other hydroxy acids. Further research would be necessary to fully elucidate its properties and potential uses.