Chiral α-hydroxy acids : Racemic 2-hydroxy-2,3,3-trimethylbutanoic acid and 2-hydroxy-2-trimethylsilylpropanoic acid

Both C 7 H 14 O 3 and C 6 H 14 O 3 Si crystallize as racemates from acetone solution, the former incorporating water of crystallization (C 7 H 14 O 3 .0.5H 2 O). The crystal structures display extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving the hydroxy and carboxylic acid groups to give polymeric networks.