The molecule is a 4-oxo monocarboxylic acid that is 4-oxobutanoic acid in which the pro-R hydrogen at position 3 has been replaced by a hydroxy group. It is a 4-oxo monocarboxylic acid, a secondary alcohol, a hydroxyaldehyde and an aldehydic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a (3R)-3-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoate.
(3R)-3-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoic acid