Phenylpyruvic acid

Phenylpyruvic acid is the organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2C(O)CO2H. It is a keto acid. Phenylpyruvic acid is the organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2C(O)CO2H. It is a keto acid. The compound exists in equilibrium with its E- and Z-enol tautomers. It is a product from the oxidative deamination of phenylalanine. It can be prepared by many methods. Classically it is produced from aminocinnamic acid derivatives. It has been prepared by condensation of benzaldehyde and glycine derivatives to give phenylazlactone, which is then hydrolyzed with acid- or base-catalysis. It can also be synthesized from benzyl chloride by double carbonylation. Reductive amination of phenylpyruvic acid gives phenylalanine.