Question

What is Hydroxy acid?

Answer

Hydroxy acid is a Hydroxycarbo-xylic acids all lose water upon heating, although the products are not the same. The 2-hydroxy acids form cyclic dimeric esters (formed by the esterification of two molecules of the acid) called lactides, whereas th 3- and 4- hydroxy acids undergo intramo-lecules esterification to give cyclic esters called lactones.