a. Chem. [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 Tartronates.
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. Ralfe, Phys. Chem., p. xxix. Uric acid … is often represented as consisting of one radical of tartronic acid and two of urea.
