Pyruvic acid

Description

A colorless liquid with a smell similar to acetic acid. Pyruvic acid is an intermediate compound produced by the aerobic metabolism of glucose (glycolysis). It is a key component in several biochemical pathways.

Synonyms and Related Terms

2-oxopropanoic acid (IUPAC); acetylformic acid; pyroracemic acid; 2- ketopropionic acid

Other Properties

Miscible in water, ethanol and ether.

Composition	C3H4O3
CAS	127-17-3
Melting Point	11.18
Density	1.250
Molecular Weight	88.06
Boiling Point	165

Authority

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 7925

• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: Pyruvic acid (accessed Jan 6, 2009)