The molecule is a spiroketal, monensin A is the major component of monensin, a mixture of antibiotic substances produced by Streptomyces cinnamonensis. An antiprotozoal, it is used as the sodium salt as a feed additive for the prevention of coccidiosis in poultry and as a growth promoter in cattle. It has a role as a coccidiostat, an antifungal agent and an ionophore. It is a monocarboxylic acid, a cyclic hemiketal, a spiroketal and a polyether antibiotic.
(2S,3R,4S)-4-[(2S,5R,7S,8R,9S)-2-[(2R,5S)-5-ethyl-5-[(2R,3S,5R)-5-[(2S,3S,5R,6R)-6-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3,5-dimethyloxan-2-yl]-3-methyloxolan-2-yl]oxolan-2-yl]-7-hydroxy-2,8-dimethyl-1,10-dioxaspiro[4.5]decan-9-yl]-3-methoxy-2-methylpentanoic acid