The Preparation and Properties of D-Gluconic Acid and the Gluconates

The metallic gluconates seem to crystallize mainly in the form of warty aggregates of needles. Their optical rotation is low and generally dextro. They seem to be unstable toward heat decomposing in the vicinity of 100°C. All of them are apparently soluble in water to some extent. The uses of gluconic acid and the gluconates are thing developed at the present time, and it is hoped that the data in this paper will prove of technical use apart from its theoretical value.