Biodegradable polymers are being developed to address the global challenge of plastic accumulation in the environment. One such polymer is poly(3-hydroxybutanoic acid), a polyester synthesized by certain bacteria as an energy store.
What is the condensed structural formula of the monomer used to form this polymer?
CH3CH(OH)CH2COOH\text{CH}_3\text{CH(OH)CH}_2\text{COOH}CH3CH(OH)CH2COOH
HOCH2CH2CH2COOH\text{HOCH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{COOH}HOCH2CH2CH2COOH
CH3CH2CH(OH)COOH\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH(OH)COOH}CH3CH2CH(OH)COOH
CH3CH(OH)CH2CH2OH\text{CH}_3\text{CH(OH)CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{OH}CH3CH(OH)CH2CH2OH