Saccharic Acid,

Saccharic Acid, $H\_2C\_6H\_8O\_8$, is a product of the action of nitric acid, under certain conditions, on grape and cane sugar, or on starch, gum, and lignine. It occurs as a colourless, inodorous, deliquescent, gummy, uncrystallisable mass, which is freely soluble in alcohol. It is sufficiently powerful to dissolve iron and zinc, with extrication of hydrogen. It has a tendency to form double salts. It is dibasic, and forms an acid and a normal salt with potassium.