The molecule is a 2-oxo monocarboxylic acid that is 2-oxopentanoic acid which is substituted at positions 4 and 5 by hydroxy groups (the 4S-enantiomer). It is a 2-oxo monocarboxylic acid, a ketoaldonic acid, a 4-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid, a 5-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid and a pentonic acid. It derives from a D-arabinonic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a 2-dehydro-3-deoxy-D-arabinonate. It is an enantiomer of a 2-dehydro-3-deoxy-L-arabinonic acid.
(4S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-oxopentanoic acid