(±)-tartaric acid

Abstract

(±)-Tartaric acid, C4H6O6, crystallized from ethanol in space group P1̄. The structure is characterized by five hydrogen bonds, including the formation of a centrosymmetric carboxylic acid dimer which forms infinite chains along the body diagonal. These chains form sheets via hydrogen bonding between α-hydroxyl groups. The sheets are connected through a bifurcated hydrogen bond. Structural comparisons are made with homochiral (2R,3R)-(+)-tartaric acid.