tartronic, a. Chem.
(tɑːˈtrɒnɪk)
[ad. F. tartronique (Dessaignes 1854), arbitrarily f. tartrique (perh. with ni- of nitro-). (Comptes Rendus XXXVIII. 44.)]
In tartronic acid, a dibasic acid, C2H4O5, produced by the spontaneous decomposition of nitro-tartaric acid, crystallizing in large prisms. Its salts are ˈtartronates.
| 1866 Odling Anim. Chem. 133 Mesoxalic acid is convertible by deoxidation or hydrogenation into tartronic acid. 1868 Watts Dict. Chem. V. 698 The tartronates of the alkali-metals are soluble in water. 1873 C. H. Ralfe Phys. Chem. p. xxix, Uric acid..is often represented as consisting of one radical of tartronic acid and two of urea. |