The molecule is a carbohydrate acid formally derived from gulonic acid by oxidation of the -OH groups at positions 2 and 3 to keto groups. It has a role as an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a dioxo monocarboxylic acid, a hydroxy monocarboxylic acid, an alpha-diketone and a carbohydrate acid. It is a conjugate acid of a 2,3-diketogulonate.
(4R,5S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-2,3-dioxohexanoic acid