The molecule is a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is lactic acid in which one of the methyl hydrogens has been replaced by an imidazol-5-yl group. It has a role as a metabolite, a human metabolite and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid and a member of imidazoles. It derives from a 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a 3-(imidazol-5-yl)lactate.
2-hydroxy-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoic acid