MOLECULE

(S)-2-Aceto-2-hydroxybutanoic acid

(S)-2-Aceto-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, also known as (S)-2-hydroxy-2-ethyl-3-oxobutanoate or (S)-2-acetyl-2-hydroxybutyrate, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as short-chain keto acids and derivatives. These are keto acids with an alkyl chain the contains less than 6 carbon atoms. A 3-oxo monocarboxylic acid that is butanoic acid in which the hydrogens at position 2 are replaced by an acetyl and a hydroxy group (the S enantiomer) (S)-2-Aceto-2-hydroxybutanoic acid is a very hydrophobic molecule, practically insoluble (in water), and relatively neutral (S)-2-Aceto-2-hydroxybutanoic acid exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. (S)-2-Aceto-2-hydroxybutanoic acid is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.