| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name 3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxopropanoic acid | |
| Other names 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate p-Hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid p-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| DrugBank | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.005.322 |
| KEGG | |
PubChem CID | |
| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
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| Properties | |
| C9H8O4 | |
| Molar mass | 180.157 g/mol |
| Melting point | 219–220 °C (426–428 °F; 492–493 K) |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (4-HPPA) is an intermediate in the metabolism of the amino acid phenylalanine. The aromatic side chain of phenylalanine is hydroxylated by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase to form tyrosine. The conversion from tyrosine to 4-HPPA is in turn catalyzed by tyrosine aminotransferase. [2] Additionally, 4-HPPA can be converted to homogentisic acid which is one of the precursors to ochronotic pigment. [3]
It is an intermediary compound in the biosynthesis of scytonemin.