The molecule is a dicarboxylic acid that is succinic acid in which the methylene hydrogens at position 2 have been replaced by phosphonomethyl and hydroxy groups (the R-enantiomer). It is a dicarboxylic acid, a hydroxy carboxylic acid, a tertiary alcohol and a member of phosphonic acids. It derives from a succinic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a (R)-2-(phosphonomethyl)malate(3-).
(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethyl)butanedioic acid