Volume and adiabatic compressibility of optically active and inactive tartaric acids and tartrates

The differences of partial molal volume and adiabatic compressibility at infinite dilution of optically active diastereoisomers in water are reported. The L and meso tartaric acids and their potassium salts are examined. The results are interpreted in terms of specificity of H bonding between the solvent H₂O and the stereoisomers in the charged and uncharged forms. The results are of interest in relation to biochemical specificities and stereospecific behavior of optical enantiomers.