Xylonic acid

Xylonic acid is the organic compound with the formula. It is an oxidized derivative of xylose. Xylonic acid is a colorless, water-soluble solid. Several isomers are known, all being classified as sugar acids, several of which can be obtained by oxidation of the corresponding pentoses. The C-2 epimer of xylonic acid is known as lyxonic acid.
Like other sugar acids, xylonic acid readily converts to a lactone by dehydration. Lyxonic acid behaves similarly.
Genetically engineered Pseudomonas fragi converts D-xylose to D-xylonic acid. Decarboxylation of the xylonic acid by a strain of Escherichia coli give 1,2,4-butanetriol, which is of commercial interest.