4-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid: an unusual compound isolated from the urine of children with suspected disorders of metabolism.

1. An unknown compound has been isolated in the acidic fraction of urine samples taken from several children suspected of having metabolic disorders. 2. This unknown has been characterized using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer/computer system. Both the high and low resolution mass spectra have been determined and a structure proposed. 3. Authentic samples were synthesized and compared to the unknown and a final proof of structure is presented. The compound, 4-hydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, is suspected to come from a dietary source but the actual genesis will be determined in future work.