Zirconium forms stable, insoluble, chelate compounds with many organic alpha-hydroxyacids (substituted glycolic acids) and a number of them have been investigated for the gravimetric determination of zirconium. Four new reagents were studied: hexahydromandelic acid, atrolactic acid, p-phenylene diglycolic acid and 2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-buteonic acid. Quantitative precipitation of zirconium was achived with all the above acids but most precipitates are of indefinite composition and must be ignited to the oxide for weighing. These studies lead to a better understanding of the nature of alpha-hydroxyacid complexes of zirconium.