des oxalic acid

IMG:content-2266.png:[blocks in formation] acid, obtained by acting on ethylic oxalate (con- taining alcohol) with sodium amalgam, which prisms, melting at 85°. By acting on this compound forms its triethyl ether, crystallizing in large with baryta water, and decomposing the barium salt with sulphuric acid, the free acid is obtained on evaporation in deliquescent crystals; by heating its solution to 45° it decomposes into CO2 and racemic acid HOOC-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-CO-Oн. děs-ox-ỹ, in compos. [Fr. pref. dés , and Eng. oxy(gen) (q. v.).]