[{"from": "human", "value": "Provide a brief overview of this molecule. [C][C][C][C][Branch1][=Branch1][C][=Branch1][C][=O][O-1][O]"}, {"from": "gpt", "value": "The molecule is the pentanoate anion substituted at the alpha-carbon by a hydroxy group. The conjugate base of 2-hydroxypentanoic acid, it is the predominant species at physiological pH. It has a role as a metabolite. It is a conjugate base of a 2-hydroxypentanoic acid."}]