alphamethylacetic

Alphamethylacetic acid, also known as 2-methylpropanoic acid or isobutyric acid, is a branched-chain carboxylic acid with the chemical formula (CH3)2CHCOOH. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent, somewhat unpleasant odor. Isobutyric acid is a structural isomer of butyric acid, differing in the position of the methyl group. It is soluble in water and most organic solvents.

This organic acid occurs naturally in some foods, such as cheese, and is also a byproduct of the anaerobic digestion of organic matter. Industrially, isobutyric acid can be produced through the oxidation of isobutyraldehyde or by the carbonylation of propylene. It finds application as a precursor in the synthesis of various chemicals, including esters, which are used as flavoring agents and solvents, and as a component in the production of some pharmaceuticals and pesticides. It can also be used in the manufacturing of certain plastics and resins. In biological contexts, it is an intermediate in some metabolic pathways.