Phenylpyruvic acid

Phenylpyruvic acid (CAS 156-06-9), also known as phenylpyroracemic acid, is an aromatic keto acid used as a building block and intermediate in pharmaceutical and biotechnology synthesis. It serves as a precursor in the production of amino acids, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and specialty biochemicals. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it functions as a key intermediate.

It is used in the enzymatic or chemical synthesis of L-phenylalanine, a commercially significant amino acid used in drug formulations and nutritional products for various industries. Biotechnology researchers use it as a substrate in transamination studies and enzyme screening assays, where its reactivity with aminotransferases makes it relevant for bioprocess development.

It also appears in the synthesis of phenylpyruvate-derived compounds investigated as scaffolds for CNS-related drug candidates. As a polymerization initiator, it supports specialty polymer systems. Phenylpyruvic acid is supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder. It is available primarily in research and pharmaceutical-intermediate grades for industrial applications.

Purity specifications are typically at 98% or higher to meet synthetic and analytical requirements. Packaging ranges from small laboratory quantities to bulk orders for process-scale procurement.