The molecule is a ketoaldonic acid that is butyric acid carrying an oxo substituent at position 2 as well as two hydroxy substituents at positions 3 and 4 (the S-enantiomer). It is a dihydroxy monocarboxylic acid, a 2-oxo monocarboxylic acid, a ketoaldonic acid and a secondary alpha-hydroxy ketone. It derives from a butyric acid. It is a conjugate acid of a (S)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-oxobutanoate. It is an enantiomer of a (R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-oxobutanoic acid.
(3S)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-oxobutanoic acid