3,4-Dihydroxymandelic acid

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3,4-Dihydroxymandelic acid

3,4-Dihydroxymandelic acid (DHMA) is a biochemical compound that plays a significant role in various metabolic processes in the human body. It is a derivative of mandelic acid, with two additional hydroxyl groups at the 3rd and 4th positions of the benzene ring.

Chemical Structure and Properties

The chemical formula of 3,4-Dihydroxymandelic acid is C8H8O5. It is a white crystalline solid at room temperature. The compound is soluble in water and has a melting point of 140-142 °C. The presence of two hydroxyl groups in the benzene ring makes it a diol, and it exhibits the typical chemical reactions of diols.

Biological Role

In the human body, 3,4-Dihydroxymandelic acid is involved in the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine, two essential amino acids. It is a metabolic intermediate in the synthesis of norepinephrine and epinephrine, two important neurotransmitters in the nervous system.

Clinical Significance

Abnormal levels of 3,4-Dihydroxymandelic acid in the body can be indicative of certain medical conditions. For instance, elevated levels of this compound in the urine can be a sign of neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells.

See Also

• Mandelic acid
• Phenylalanine
• Tyrosine
• Norepinephrine
• Epinephrine
• Neuroblastoma