(S)-mandelic acid

(S)-Mandelic acid is the dextrorotatory enantiomer of mandelic acid, a chiral aromatic alpha-hydroxy acid with the molecular formula C8H8O3 and a molecular weight of 152.15 g/mol. It appears as a white to light yellow crystalline powder, soluble in water and polar organic solvents. This compound is widely used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals—particularly antibiotics and anti-infective agents—and serves as a resolving agent for racemic mixtures in analytical chemistry. In cosmetics, it is valued for its exfoliating properties and antimicrobial activity, making it suitable for skin care formulations targeting dull or acne-prone skin. As an alpha-hydroxy acid, it promotes cell turnover and has demonstrated antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Industrial production methods include chemical synthesis from mandelonitrile or biotechnological fermentation using engineered E. coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains expressing hydroxymandelate synthase[1][5][8][10].

Other names

(S)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetic acidL-mandelatemandelic aci(S)-hydroxyphenylaceticacidL-(+)-mandelsureL-amygdalic acidS-(+)-mandeLS-(+)-mandelic