(R)-3-Hydroxybutyric acid (CAS 625-72-9)

(R)-3-Hydroxybutyric acid, known as bhib, is a component of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a polymer with various applications. It serves as both a nutritional resource and a precursor for vitamins, antibiotics, and pheromones. Researchers are currently exploring its potential as a protective agent against neuronal cell death. Belonging to the category of organic compounds known as beta hydroxy acids and derivatives, (R)-3-Hydroxybutyric acid is characterized by a carboxylic acid with a hydroxyl group on the C3 carbon atom. This structural feature classifies it as a fatty acid lipid molecule. In its natural state, (R)-3-Hydroxybutyric acid exists as a solid that is soluble in water and possesses weak acidity, as indicated by its pKa value. This compound has been identified in various biofluids, including urine, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. Within cells, (R)-3-Hydroxybutyric acid primarily resides in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. In human biology, it plays a pivotal role in the ketone body metabolism pathway and is implicated in the metabolic disorder known as succinyl coa: 3-ketoacid CoA transferase deficiency.