Alpha hydroxycarboxylic acid

This structural aspect distinguishes them from beta hydroxy acids, where the functional groups are separated by two carbon atoms.

[2][3][4] AHAs serve a dual purpose; industrially, they are utilized as additives in animal feed and as precursors for polymer synthesis.

[14] Furthermore, specialized synthetic routes include the reaction of dilithiated carboxylic acids with oxygen, followed by aqueous workup.

[18][19] α-Hydroxy acids are particularly prone to acid-catalyzed decarbonylation, yielding carbon monoxide, a ketone or aldehyde, and water as by-products.

[9] The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panels both suggest that alpha hydroxy acids are safe to use as long as they are sold at low concentrations, pH levels greater than 3.5, and include thorough safety instructions.

[9] The FDA has warned consumers that care should be taken when using alpha hydroxy acids after an industry-sponsored study found that they can increase the likelihood of sunburns.