Acetylphosphate
Acetyl phosphate is a reactive acyl phosphate with the formula CH3CO-O-PO3^2-, a mixed anhydride of acetic acid and phosphoric acid. It contains a high-energy linkage that enables transfer of acetyl groups to nucleophiles or transfer of phosphate groups to substrates. In water, acetyl phosphate hydrolyzes to acetate and inorganic phosphate, and it is relatively short-lived under physiological conditions.
In bacteria, acetyl phosphate is produced by phosphotransacetylase from acetyl-CoA and inorganic phosphate: acetyl-CoA + Pi ⇌ acetyl
Beyond metabolism, acetyl phosphate can act as a donor of acetyl groups to proteins in a non-enzymatic
Because of its reactivity, acetyl phosphate is typically described as a transient metabolite relevant to energy