4-Hydroxymandelic acid is a

chemical compound A chemical compound is a chemical substance composed of many identical molecules (or molecular entities) containing atoms from more than one chemical element held together by chemical bonds. A molecule consisting of atoms of only one element ...

used to synthesize

atenolol Atenolol is a beta blocker medication primarily used to treat high blood pressure and heart-associated chest pain. Atenolol, however, does not seem to improve mortality in those with high blood pressure. Other uses include the prevention of mi ...

. The compound typically occurs as a

monohydrate In chemistry, a hydrate is a substance that contains water or its constituent elements. The chemical state of the water varies widely between different classes of hydrates, some of which were so labeled before their chemical structure was underst ...

Synthesis and occurrence

It is produced from 4-hydroxypyruvic acid by the action of the enzyme (''S'')-''p''-hydroxymandelate synthase: :HOC₆H₄CH₂C(O)CO₂H + O₂ → HOC₆H₄CH(OH)CO₂H + CO2 4-Hydroxymandelic acid can be synthesized by the condensation reaction of

phenol Phenol (also called carbolic acid) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () bonded to a hydroxy group (). Mildly acidic, it req ...

and

glyoxylic acid Glyoxylic acid or oxoacetic acid is an organic compound. Together with acetic acid, glycolic acid, and oxalic acid, glyoxylic acid is one of the C2 carboxylic acids. It is a colourless solid that occurs naturally and is useful industrially. Str ...

: :HOC₆H₅ + CHOCO₂H → HOC₆H₄CH(OH)CO₂H

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hydroxymandelic acid, 4- Phenols Acetic acids Alpha hydroxy acids

Synthesis and occurrence

See also

References