Chemical Formula: C5H11OS

3-dimethylsulfoniopropionaldehyde

C5H11OS (119.0531)

3-dimethylsulfoniopropionaldehyde, also known as dmsp-aldehyde, is a member of the class of compounds known as alpha-hydrogen aldehydes. Alpha-hydrogen aldehydes are aldehydes with the general formula HC(H)(R)C(=O)H, where R is an organyl group. 3-dimethylsulfoniopropionaldehyde is slightly soluble (in water) and an extremely weak acidic compound (based on its pKa). 3-dimethylsulfoniopropionaldehyde can be found in a number of food items such as chinese chestnut, welsh onion, dandelion, and parsnip, which makes 3-dimethylsulfoniopropionaldehyde a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products.