Showing chemical card for phenylacetate (CFc000337948)
Record Information
Version
1.0
Creation Date
Update Date
2022-09-14 05:32:06 UTC
Chemfont ID
CFc000337948
Molecule Identification
Common Name
phenylacetate
Definition
Phenylacetic acid, also known as phenylacetate or alpha-toluic acid, belongs to benzene and substituted derivatives class of compounds. Those are aromatic compounds containing one monocyclic ring system consisting of benzene. Phenylacetic acid is slightly soluble (in water) and a weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Phenylacetic acid can be synthesized from acetic acid. Phenylacetic acid is also a parent compound for other transformation products, including but not limited to, hydratropic acid, 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and mandelamide. Phenylacetic acid is a sweet, civet, and floral tasting compound and can be found in a number of food items such as hyssop, cowpea, endive, and shea tree, which makes phenylacetic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Phenylacetic acid can be found primarily in most biofluids, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), saliva, feces, and blood. Phenylacetic acid exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. In humans, phenylacetic acid is involved in the phenylacetate metabolism. Moreover, phenylacetic acid is found to be associated with kidney disease and phenylketonuria. Phenylacetic acid is a non-carcinogenic (not listed by IARC) potentially toxic compound. Phenylacetic acid is a drug which is used for use as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia and associated encephalopathy in patients with deficiencies in enzymes of the urea cycle.
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as benzene and substituted derivatives. These are aromatic compounds containing one monocyclic ring system consisting of benzene.
