Abstract
Pure D(-)-[beta]-hydroxybutyric acid has been prepared by the hydra-zinolysis of bacterial poly-[beta]-hydroxybutyric acid. The main product of hydrazinolysis, D(-)-[beta]-hydroxybutyric hydrazide, was obtained in crystalline form and was converted into the free acid by hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid at 105[degree] for 3 hr.