oxoacetyl

Oxoacetyl refers to a functional group or a derivative containing a carbonyl group adjacent to a carboxylic acid group. More precisely, it describes the structure of a two-carbon chain where one carbon is double-bonded to an oxygen atom (a carbonyl group) and the other carbon is part of a carboxylate group (a carbon double-bonded to one oxygen and single-bonded to another oxygen that carries a negative charge in its deprotonated form). In its neutral form, it is an oxoacetic acid, also known as glyoxylic acid.

Glyoxylic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula CHOCOOH. It is a colorless liquid that is soluble in water. It is an aldehyde and a carboxylic acid, possessing the properties of both functional groups. As an aldehyde, it can undergo oxidation and reduction reactions. As a carboxylic acid, it can form salts and esters.

Oxoacetyl derivatives are found in various biological and chemical contexts. For instance, glyoxylic acid is an intermediate in metabolic pathways such as the glyoxylate cycle, which is important in plants and microorganisms for the synthesis of carbohydrates. It is also involved in the metabolism of amino acids like glycine and serine. In chemistry, glyoxylic acid can be used as a reagent in organic synthesis, for example, in the preparation of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. The term "oxoacetyl" can also refer to the corresponding anion, glyoxylate, which is the deprotonated form of glyoxylic acid.