Glycerate

Glycerate is the term used for the salts, esters, and conjugate base of glyceric acid. Glyceric acid is a three‑carbon hydroxycarboxylic acid that can lose a proton to form the glycerate anion. The conjugate base and its derivatives are encountered in organic synthesis and in biochemical contexts as intermediates or building blocks.

Chemistry and structure: In the common structural formulation, glyceric acid is HO−CH2−CH(OH)−COOH, giving glycerate a carboxylate group and two vicinal hydroxyl groups on the adjacent carbons. The molecule can exist as enantiomers at the middle carbon, so glycerate appears as D- and L-forms in its acid form, with enantiomeric purity often context‑dependent. The glycerate anion carries a single negative charge on the carboxylate group.

Salts and esters: Glycerate forms salts with metal ions, such as sodium glycerate, and a variety of esters. Common esters include methyl glycerate and ethyl glycerate. Ethyl glycerate, in particular, is known as a fragrance and flavor compound with a fruity note; methyl glycerate is also used in flavors and as a chemical intermediate.

Occurrence and use: Glycerates are not typically found as free, unbound substances in large amounts in nature, but glycerate derivatives arise in chemical synthesis and in metabolic pathways where glyceric acid units are introduced or transformed. They serve as intermediates in organic synthesis and as components in cosmetic, fragrance, and flavor applications.

See also: glycerol, glyceric acid, glycerate esters, 3-phosphoglycerate.