The molecule is a 2-oxo monocarboxylic acid that is pyruvic acid in which two of the methyl hydrogens are substituted by phenyl and hydroxy groups (the S-enantiomer). It is a 2-oxo monocarboxylic acid, a 3-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid and a secondary alpha-hydroxy ketone. It derives from a pyruvic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a (S)-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-phenylpropanoate.
(3S)-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-phenylpropanoic acid