1,3-Butanediol

Category: ketone

Aliases: 1,3-BD, Butane-1,3-diol

Pharmacological Mechanism

Hepatic alcohol-dehydrogenase + aldehyde-dehydrogenase two-step conversion to BHB (R-isomer conversion predominates). Also directly inebriating at high doses — shares ADH pathway with ethanol. Cost-effective BHB precursor used in some research formulations.

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 13.3 g (Range: 10–20 g)

Target Organ Systems

• endocrine
• digestive

Interactions

• R,S-1,3-Butanediol Ester of β-Hydroxybutyrate (synergistic): Shares hepatic ADH/ALDH conversion to BHB; same alcohol interaction caveat.

Pathways It Modulates

• Ketone body metabolism + exogenous ketones (substrate) — BHB precursor (alcohol → ketone via ADH/ALDH)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 7896
• Formula: C4H10O2
• Molecular weight: 90.12 g/mol
• InChIKey: PUPZLCDOIYMWBV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: CC(CCO)O