Name: China Manufacturer Supply High Quality (2S)-4-(1,3-Dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-2-hydroxybutanoic acid CAS 48172-10-7
Brand: Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co., Ltd.

Items	Specifications	Results
Appearance	White or off-white crystalline powder	White crystalline powder
Identification	Conform	Conform
Assay	96.0~102.0%	100.00%
Related substances	Phthalic acid ≤1.0%	0.005%
	Phthalimide ≤1.0%	0.001%
	Phba Dmiers ≤1.0%	0.17%
	3-Phthalimidopropionic acid ≤0.5%	0.09%
	Most other single impurity ≤0.3%	0.04%
	Total impurities ≤2.5%	0.36%
Meltine point	154~159℃	155.3-156.6℃
Specific rotation[a]D²⁰(C=2,NaOH)	-8.5°~-12.0°	-10.30°
Loss on drying	≤0.5%	0.31%
Conclusion	The product conforms to the above specifications.

(2S)-4-(1,3-Dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-2-hydroxybutanoic Acid

This is a specialized synthetic organic compound used primarily as a chemical intermediate or building block in organic synthesis, particularly in pharmaceutical and peptide chemistry. Its structure and name contain several important functional groups that dictate its use.

Breakdown of the Name & Structure

Let's decode the IUPAC name to understand the molecule:

(2S)- : Indicates the stereochemistry at carbon #2. This means the molecule is chiral (non-superimposable on its mirror image) and this specific form is the S-enantiomer. This is crucial in drug synthesis where only one enantiomer is often biologically active.
4-(1,3-Dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)- : This is a phthalimide protecting group attached at the 4th carbon.

"Isoindoline-1,3-dione" is the systematic name for phthalimide.
The nitrogen of the phthalimide is connected to the butanoic acid chain. This group is used to protect a primary amine (-NH₂) during chemical reactions.

2-hydroxy- : There is a hydroxyl group (-OH) at carbon #2.
butanoic acid : The core is a 4-carbon chain with a carboxylic acid (-COOH) at the end.

In essence, this molecule can be thought of as a derivative of the amino acid aspartic acid or homoserine, where:

The amine group (-NH₂) has been protected as a phthalimide.
The side chain has been modified to include an extra methylene (CH₂) group, making it a 4-carbon chain.

Primary Uses and Applications

Unlike 6-Benzylaminopurine, this compound has no direct agricultural or commercial uses. Its value is entirely in chemical synthesis.

1. Key Intermediate in Peptide & Drug Synthesis

This is its most significant application. The molecule serves as a precursor or building block for more complex structures, especially those containing gamma-hydroxy amino acids or unnatural amino acids.

Amine Protection: The phthalimide group masks a primary amine. After the desired reactions are performed on other parts of the molecule, the phthalimide can be cleanly removed (e.g., with hydrazine, NH₂NH₂) to reveal the free -NH₂ group. This is a standard strategy in multi-step synthesis.
Chiral Pool Starting Material: The defined (2S) stereochemistry provides a "chiral handle," allowing chemists to construct complex, stereochemically pure molecules without racemization (loss of chirality). This is vital for creating active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

2. Synthesis of Biologically Active Molecules

Compounds with a 2-hydroxybutanoic acid (or related) scaffold are found in various natural products and drugs. This specific intermediate could be used in the synthesis of:

Protease Inhibitors: Enzymes that break down proteins; inhibitors are used in drugs for HIV, hypertension, and more.
Gamma-Hydroxy Amino Acids: Components of certain peptides and natural toxins with biological activity.
Linkers for Conjugates: The carboxylic acid and (future) amine groups make it a potential linker for connecting different molecules (e.g., in antibody-drug conjugates or prodrugs).

3. Research Tool in Medicinal Chemistry

Medicinal chemists use such building blocks to create libraries of novel compounds for screening against disease targets (e.g., cancer, infectious diseases). It allows for the systematic exploration of structure-activity relationships (SAR).

Mechanism of Action (in Synthesis)

This compound does not have a biological "mechanism of action" like a hormone or drug. Instead, its chemical reactivity defines its role:

Carboxylic Acid (-COOH): Can form esters, amides, or be reduced.
Hydroxyl Group (-OH): Can be further functionalized (oxidized, acylated, alkylated) or used to influence stereochemistry.
Protected Amine (Phthalimide): Is inert to many reaction conditions but can be deprotected later to give a nucleophilic amine.

Safety and Handling

As a fine chemical intermediate, it is handled only in laboratory or industrial settings by trained personnel.
Specific safety data (toxicity, irritation) would be found on its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS). Phthalimide derivatives can be potential sensitizers.
It is not a consumer product and has no environmental or food use.

Summary

(2S)-4-(1,3-Dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-2-hydroxybutanoic acid is a chiral synthetic building block. Its core utility lies in its protected amine and defined stereochemistry, making it a valuable tool for chemists constructing:

Complex peptides containing unnatural amino acids.
Pharmaceutical candidates where precise 3D structure is essential for activity.
Specialized organic molecules for research.

Key Difference from 6-BA: While 6-BA is a bulk agrochemical with direct physiological effects on plants, this compound is a high-value, small-scale laboratory reagent used to build molecules, not to apply them directly.