Tartronic acid or 2-hydroxymalonic acid is an organic compound with the structural formula of HOCH(CO2H)2. This dicarboxylic acid is related to malonic acid. It is a white solid. It is produced by oxidation of glycerol:
Glyceric acid is an intermediate.
Its derivative, 2-methyltartronic acid, is isomalic acid.
Uses Oxidation of tartronic acid gives the ketone mesoxalic acid, the simplest oxodicarboxylic acid.
References
External links US-Patent 4319045: "Process for production of a tartronic acid solution", max 20% Tartronic acid besides other dicarbonic acids US-Patent 5750037: Use of tartronic acid as an oxygen scavenger Literature overview about synthesis