Improved synthesis of the sodium salt of dl-α,β-dihydroxyisovaleric acid

Abstract

A one-step synthesis of sodium dl-α,β-dihydroxyisovalerate involving the hydroxylation of 3,3-dimethylacrylic acid is described. This procedure is easier and more economical than those published previously. The material synthesized is shown to be a substrate for Salmonella typhimurium dihydroxyacid dehydratase (the product of the ilvD gene).