2-Hydroxyisobutyric acid

2-Hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-Hydroxyisobutyric acid) is a metabolite of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) . MTBE may be obtained through environmental exposure. MTBE is rapidly eliminated from the body, mainly through expired air as the unchanged compound. MTBE is to some extent metabolised to t-butyl alcohol (TBA) and formaldehyde and oxidised to 2-methyl-1,2-propanediol and a-hydroxy isobuturic acid. 2-Hydroxyisobutyric acid has been used as an arial bactericide.