Hydroxybutyric acid is a group of four-carbon organic compounds that have both hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups.[1] They can be viewed as derivatives of butyric acid. The carboxylate anion and the esters of hydroxybutyric acids are known as hydroxybutyrates. β-hydroxybutyric acid is relevant to human health as it is a member of a class of products of fatty acid oxidation referred to as ketone bodies.

α-hydroxybutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of α-hydroxybutyric acid
β-hydroxybutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of β-hydroxybutyric acid
γ-hydroxybutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of γ-hydroxybutyric acid
α-hydroxyisobutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid
β-hydroxyisobutyric acid structure
Skeletal formula of 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid

The isomers are distinguished by the distance between the two functional groups and the branching.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Miltenberger, Karlheinz (2000). "Hydroxycarboxylic Acids, Aliphatic". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a13_507. ISBN 3527306730.
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