Gammahydroxy

Gammahydroxy is a term used in organic chemistry to refer to a hydroxy group attached to the gamma carbon of a molecule relative to a higher-priority functional group, typically a carboxyl group in a straight-chain acid. The gamma position is the third carbon away from the carbonyl carbon (alpha is the second, beta the third, gamma the fourth counting from the carbonyl).

A common example is gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid. In this molecule, the hydroxyl group is on the gamma carbon and the carboxyl group is at the end of the chain. The chemical formula of GHB is C4H8O3. Gamma-hydroxy acids form a class of compounds used in biology and medicine, and they include various derivatives where the hydroxyl is on the gamma carbon.

Biologically, gamma-hydroxy compounds can occur endogenously in small amounts in mammals. GHB, in particular, is a natural constituent of the central nervous system and can act as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator under certain conditions. It can be produced and metabolized within the body as part of broader metabolic pathways related to GABA.

In medicine and regulation, GHB is prescribed in some countries in the form of sodium oxybate for narcolepsy under strict controls. Outside medical use, gamma-hydroxy compounds can be subject to regulatory controls due to potential for abuse, overdose, or dependence. Legal status and safety considerations vary by jurisdiction.