Tartronic acid

Tartronic acid or 2-hydroxymalonic acid is an organic compound with the structural formula of HOHC(CO₂H)₂. This dicarboxylic acid is related to malonic acid. It is a white solid. It is produced by oxidation of glycerol:

HOCH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH + 2 O₂ → HO₂CCH(OH)CO₂H + 2 H₂O

Tartronic acid

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Hydroxypropanedioic acid
Other names tartronic acid, 2-tartronic acid, hydroxymalonic acid, 2-hydroxymalonic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	80-69-3 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:16513 Y
ChemSpider	44 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.001.184
EC Number	201-301-1
KEGG	C02287 N
PubChem CID	45
UNII	34T0025E0L Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6075358
InChI InChI=1S/C3H4O5/c4-1(2(5)6)3(7)8/h1,4H,(H,5,6)(H,7,8) Y Key: ROBFUDYVXSDBQM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C3H4O5/c4-1(2(5)6)3 (7)8/h1,4H,(H,5,6)(H,7,8) InChI=1/C3H4O5/c4-1(2(5)6)3(7)8/h1,4H,(H,5,6)(H,7,8) Key: ROBFUDYVXSDBQM-UHFFFAOYAD
SMILES O=C(O)C(O)C(=O)O
Properties
Chemical formula	C3H4O5
Molar mass	120.06 g/mol
Appearance	white solid
Density	1.849 g/cm3
Melting point	159 °C (318 °F; 432 K) (decomposes)
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 0 0
Related compounds
Related carboxylic acids	Tartaric acid Malic acid Mesoxalic acid Lactic acid 3-Hydroxypropionic acid Malonic acid Propionic acid Oxalic acid
Related compounds	Glyceric acid Glyceraldehyde Tartonaldehyde Glycerol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Glyceric acid HOCH₂CH(OH)CO₂H is an intermediate.^[1][2]

Its derivative, 2-methyltartronic acid, is isomalic acid.^[3]

Uses

Oxidation of tartronic acid gives the ketone mesoxalic acid, the simplest oxodicarboxylic acid.^[4]