Tartaric Acid Overview
Tartaric Acid is a white crystalline diprotic organic acid. The compound occurs naturally in many plants, particularly in grapes, bananas, and tamarinds. It is also one of the main acids found in wine.
Tartaric Acid can be added to food when a sour taste is desired. It is also used as an antioxidant. Salts of Tartaric Acid are known as tartarates. The chemical is a dihydroxy derivative of succinic acid.
Tartaric Acid is found in cream of tartar and baking powder. The chemical compound is used in silvering mirrors, tanning leather, and in Rochelle Salt. In medical analysis, Tartaric Acid is used to make solutions for the determination of glucose.
With one week lead-time, TCC ships Tartaric Acid in 25kg bags, and 1,000kg supersacks throughout the continental United States.
About Tartaric Acid
Tartaric Acid is a white solid possessing two alcohol groups and two acid groups. The second and third carbons of the molecule are asymmetrical (these are called chiral centers). The naturally occurring form of Tartaric Acid is the L-isomer, which rotates light to the left. The D-form of the acid, which rotates plane-polarized light to the right (the D refers to dextro, or right hand direction) is far less common in nature and has almost no practical uses.
In general, where biological molecules have optical isomers, only one of the isomers or forms will be active biologically. The other will be unaffected by the enzymes in living cells. The meso form of the molecule is not affected by polarized light.
The fourth form — the DL mixture, is not a single molecule, but a mixture of equal amounts of D and L isomers. It does not rotate polarized light (like the meso form) because the rotation of light by the D and L forms is equal in amount but opposite in direction. It is possible to separate the DL mixture into the two isomers, each of which does rotate light. In the 1840s, Louis Pasteur determined that each of the two isomers of Tartaric Acid rotated light in opposite directions, and the meso form was inactive in this respect. He also separated by hand, crystals of the racemic mixture to show that it was made of equal amounts of the D and L forms, making it different than the meso form of Tartaric Acid.
Applications using Tartaric Acid
Tartaric Acid is found in cream of tartar, which is used in making candies and frostings for cakes. Tartaric Acid is also used in baking powder where it serves as the source of acid that reacts with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). This reaction produces carbon dioxide gas and lets products "rise," but it does so without the "yeast" taste that can result from using active yeast cultures as a source of the carbon dioxide gas.
Tartaric Acid is used in silvering mirrors, tanning leather, and in the making of Rochelle Salt, which is sometimes used as a laxative. Blue prints are made with ferric tartarte as the source of the blue ink.
In medical analysis, Tartaric Acid is used to make solutions for the determination of glucose. Common esters of Tartaric Acid are diethyl tartarate and dibutyl tartrate. Both are made by reacting Tartaric Acid with the appropriate alcohol, ethanol or n-butanol. In the reaction the Hydrogen of the COOH acid group is replaced with an ethyl group (diethyl tartarate) or butyl group (dibutyl tartarate. These esters are used in manufacturing lacquer and in dyeing textiles.
Product Specification - Tartaric Acid
| Product | L(+) Tartaric Acid, Edible Grade |
| Chemical Formula | C4H6O6 |
| Description | Specification |
| Appearance | White Crystalline |
| Assay (as C4H6O6) on dry basis, wt. % | 99.7 min. |
| Loss on drying @ 105°C, wt. % | 0.3 max. |
| Residue on ignition (sulfate ash), wt. % | 0.05 max. |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb), ppm | 10 max. |
| Lead (as Pb), ppm | 2 max. |
| Arsenic (as As), ppm | 1 max |
| Specific Rotation | 12 – 12.8 |
Granulations:
| Granular | |
| 100% passing through USS 10 mesh | |
| 10% Max. passing through USS 50 mesh | |
| Fine Granular | |
| 99% Min. passing through USS 25 mesh | |
| 5% Max. passing through USS 100 mesh |
Material Safety Data Sheet
1. Supplier and Substance Identification
The Chemical Company
19 Narragansett Avenue
Jamestown, RI 02835 USA
| Phone | 401.423.3100 |
| Fax | 401.423.3102 |
| info@thechemco.com | |
| Web | www.thechemco.com |
| Chemical Name | L (+) Tartaric Acid |
| Molecular Formula | C4H6O6 |
| Molecular Weight | 150.09 |
| Synonyms | 2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioc Acid, L(+)-Dihydroxysuccinic Acid |
2.Composition /Information on ingredients
Chemical Name CAS No. Content (W/W) EINECS
L(+) Tartaric Acid 87-69-4 More than 99.8% 201-766-0
3.Hazard Identification
| Hazard Symbol | Xi - Irritant |
| R-Phrases | R36/37/38 |
| S-Phrases | S26 |
4.First Aid Measures
| Inhalation | Remove person from the area of contamination to fresh air. |
| Ingestion | If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a physician immediately. Loosen tight clothing such as collar, tie, belt. |
| Skin Contact | Wash affected body areas with large volumes of water, if irritation persists, see a physician. |
| Eyes | Flush eyes with clean water, lifting eyelids occasionally, flush with water for 15 minutes. |
| Other | Launder contaminated clothing before re-using. |
5.Fire Fighting Measures
| Flammable Limits | Not Applicable. |
| Extinguishing Media | Water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, powder, foam. |
| Fighting Procedures | Use fire-fighting procedure that is appropriate to treat Surrounding fire, all fire fighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and full fire fighting turnout gear. |
6.Accidental Release Measures
| Personal precautions | Avoid Inhalation of dust. Use personal protective equipment. Ensure adequate ventilation. |
| Environmental precautions | Remove all sources of ignition. Avoid discharge into environment |
| Methods for cleaning up | Use mechanical handling equipment. Avoid raising dust. Flush with plenty of water. Dispose of incompliance with local and national regulations. |
7.Handling and Storage
| Handling | |
| General advice | Ensure thorough ventilation of stores and work areas. |
| Take precautionary measures against static discharges. | |
| Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking | |
| Protection against | |
| Fire and explosion | Avoid dust formation. Dust can form an explosive mixture with air. |
| Prevent electrostatic charge - sources of ignition should be kept | |
| well clear - fire extinguishers should be kept handy. Electrical | |
| devices must meet the specified temperature class. | |
| Storage | |
| General advice | Protect against moisture. Containers should be stored tightly sealed in a dry place. |
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
| Engineering Measures | Prevent dust buildup by providing adequate ventilation. |
| Hygiene Measures | Wash hands before consumption of food or drink. |
| Skin and Body | Wear approved protective work boots, work clothing. |
| Hands | Gloves - protective recommended. |
| Eyes | Safety glass with side shields, chemical goggles if contact likely. |
| Hair | Some form of hat or hair covering. |
| Other Devices | Maintain eye wash facility in work area. |
9.Physical and Chemical Properties
| Form | Crystalline solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Colour | Colorless |
| Molecular Weight | 150.09 |
| Water solubility g/100ml @ 20°C | 133 |
| Melting Point ° C | 168-170 |
| Density g/ml at 20° C | 1.7598 |
10.Stability and Reactivity
| Stability | Stable at normal temperatures. |
| Conditions to Avoid | N/A |
| Materials to Avoid | Strong oxidants, strong bases, alkali metals. |
| Special remarks on Reactivity | Violent reaction possible with silver. Aqueous solution of Tartaric Acid can liberate explosive H2 gas if contacted with reactive metals (Iron, Zinc, Aluminum) |
11. Toxicological Information
Not Available.
12. Ecological Information
Not Available
13. Disposal Consideration
Disposal method
Product : To be performed as per local regulations.
Contaminated packaging : Can be land filled or incinerated, in compliance with Local Regulations
14. Transport Information
DOT Classification : Not a DOT controlled material (United States).
Maritime transport IMDG } : Not Classified as a dangerous good under transportregulations Air transport ICAO/IATA
15. Regulatory Information
INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS
Listed in EC : 334
Brussels Nomenclature : 2918.12
US Food and Drug Administration : 21 CFR 184.1099
Responsibility of the receiver to have the knowledge of the local and national regulations.
16. Other Information
The information provided in this Safety Data Sheet is given in good faith and is correct to the best of our knowledge and information at the date of publication. It is designed only as guidance for safe handling, storage, transportation, use and disposal. No warranty is expressed or implied.
Shipping & Ordering Information
TCC's Tartaric Acid is available for shipping throughout the continental United States with one (1) week lead time. Please call (401) 423-3100 for details. Tartaric Acid is available in 25kg bags and 1,000kg supersacks.
Contact
The Chemical Company
19 Narragansett Avenue
Post Office Box 436
Jamestown, RI 02835-0436
| Telephone | (401) 423-3100 |
| FAX | (401) 423-3102 |
Robert N. Roach III "Robb"
President
Cell: (401) 864-3111
Email: robb@thechemco.com
©2010 The Chemical Company · The information on this site is believed to be accurate and represents the best information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the information for their particular purposes. In no event shall The Chemical Company be liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any third party or for lost profits or any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary damages, howsoever arising, even if The Chemical Company has been advised of the possibility of such damages.