Abstract
D,l-Erythro-l,2-hydroxybutyric acid was hydrolyzed into its optically active components by dissolving 20 g. of the acid in 250 cc. H2O and neutralizing with quinine. A crystalline and a non-crystalline salt were formed, which were treated with Ba(OH)2 and 4 g. of the 1- acid and 3.5 g. of the d- acid obtained. For 0.5 M soln. of the acids in H2O, the 1- acid showed ([alpha])D20 = + 9.3[degree] and the acid from the non-crystalline salt showed ([alpha])D20= +8.8[degree]. These two acids and d- and l-threo-1-2,-dihydroxybutyric acid were oxidized according to the Warburg method. The O2 consumption in cmm. per 50 min. was approx. 6 for the 1-threo-, 21 for the d-threo-, 34 for the d-erythro-, and 81 for the 1-erythro-dihydroxybutyric acids.

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