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

Glyceric acid HOCH2CH(OH)CO2H 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.