α-Ketoisovaleric acid is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2CHC(O)CO2H. It is a ketoacid. With a melting point just above room temperature, it is usually an oil or semi-solid. The compound is colorless. It is a metabolite of valine and a precursor to pantothenic acid, a prosthetic group found in several cofactors. In the biological context, is usually encountered as its conjugate base ketoisovalerate, (CH3)2CHC(O)CO2−.
Synthesis and reactions α-Ketoisovalerate undergoes hydroxymethylation to give ketopantoate: (CH3)2CHC(O)CO2− + CH2O → HOCH2(CH3)2CC(O)CO2− This conversion is catalyzed by ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase.
Like many α-ketoacids, α-ketoisovaleric acid is prone to decarboxylation to give isobutyraldehyde: (CH3)2CHC(O)CO2H → (CH3)2CHCHO + CO2 Genetic engineering has been used to produce the biofuel isobutanol by reduction of isobutyraldehyde obtained from ketoisovalerate.
See also α-Ketovaleric acid
References