Dehydroascorbic acid is shown to be converted to 2-(threo-l,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)tartronic acid in aqueous alkaline solutions. The structure of the acid was determined by mass spectrometry of its acyclic Me3Si derivative. Mass spectrometric and chromatographic data are compared with those of related compounds. The acid is formed by a benzilic acid rearrangement of the intermediate 2,3-hexodiulo...