The molecule is a hydroxy fatty acid that is trans-2-heptenoic acid in which the 6-pro-R hydrogen is replaced by a hydroxy group. It is a medium-chain fatty acid, an (omega-1)-hydroxy fatty acid, an alpha,beta-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid and a hydroxy monounsaturated fatty acid. It derives from an (E)-hept-2-enoic acid.
(E,6R)-6-hydroxyhept-2-enoic acid