Hydroxy acids chiroptical properties

Many hydroxycarboxylic acids are naturally occurring, and their coordination chemistry is of importance in biological processes. These complexes also have uses in many other areas such as analytical chemistry, electroplating processes, and pharmacology. The most widely studied ahphatic hydroxy acids are the lower members of the 2-hydroxyalkanoic acids, while studies of aromatic hydroxy acids have often centered on salicylic acid. A number of these acids contain one or more chiral carbon centers, and hence complexes of these acids have been useful in studying chiroptical properties such as the Cotton Effect see Cotton Effect). 

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