R2hydroxybutanoic

R2hydroxybutanoic, also known as R-2-hydroxybutyrate or (R)-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, is a chiral organic compound with the chemical formula C4H8O3. It is one of the two stereoisomers of 2-hydroxybutanoic acid, the other being S2hydroxybutanoic. This compound is a carboxylic acid featuring a hydroxyl group on the second carbon atom.

In biological systems, R2hydroxybutanoic acid is an intermediate in the metabolism of threonine, an essential amino acid. It is formed from alpha-ketobutyrate, which is derived from threonine. This molecule can then be further metabolized. Its presence and levels can be indicative of certain metabolic states and conditions. For instance, elevated levels of hydroxybutyrates, including R2hydroxybutanoic, have been associated with disorders of amino acid metabolism and other health issues.

The physical properties of R2hydroxybutanoic acid include being a colorless liquid or solid at room temperature, depending on purity and specific conditions. It is soluble in water and polar organic solvents. Due to its chiral nature, it exhibits optical activity, meaning it rotates plane-polarized light. The specific rotation of R2hydroxybutanoic acid is a characteristic property used in its identification and quantification. Research into the precise roles and pathways involving R2hydroxybutanoic acid continues to be an area of interest in biochemistry and clinical diagnostics.