[Jiro]

If this is true...

[Jiro]

would this be true?

[AWK]

Only carboxylic groups of tatraric acid react with NaOH.
For reaction of alcoholic groups you should use a much stronger base, eg NaH, NaNH2 or metallic Na.

[Arsenic]

In this reaction the amount of NaOH and the way it is added determine the final product. compound II is likely to be the product of this reaction ,employment of a stronger base or modification of the reaction conditions could produce III. deprotonation of II requires vigorous conditions as intramolecular hydrogen bonding and field effect would make deprotonation unfavorable.It must be noted that intramolecular hydrogen bonding in II is more effective than I.

[Jiro]

Thanks guys. Could you recommend me what topics to read up on in my o-chem text so i can really understand this? thanks.

[Arsenic]

Field effect (electyrostatic effect,through space effect): the substituent influences a remote site by an electrostatic potential operating through space .

Refer to the following references for more information:
Perspectives on structure and mechanism in organic chemistry (Carroll Felix.A)
Organic synthesis (Smith Michael.B)