The molecule is the R-enantiomer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Involved in the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, it can be used as an energy source by the brain during hypoglycaemia, and for the synthesis of biodegradable plastics. It is a sex pheremone in the European spider Linyphia triangularis. It has a role as a human metabolite, a pheromone and a fungal metabolite. It is a ketone body and a 3-hydroxybutyric acid. It is a conjugate acid of a (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate. It is an enantiomer of a (S)-3-hydroxybutyric acid.
(3R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid