Tartaric Acid

Introduction

Tartaric acid is a common organic acid that is mostly in citrus fruits. This acid found to be white in colour and it occurs in crystalline form. This acid is combined with sodium bicarbonate and is utilised as baking powder. It is useful as a leavening agent for the preparation of food.

What is tartaric acid?

Tartaric acid is an organic compound that is di-carboxylic in structure. The molecular formula of this compound is C4H4O6. It is also acknowledged as racemic acid. This compound has two distinct stereo centres. The IUPAC name of this chemical compound is 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid. Tartaric acid found in different fruits like grapes, tamarinds, bananas and other citrus fruits. It is also found in sour vegetables like tomato.

Figure 1 − Tartaric acid

This acidic compound is also utilised in various industrial applications and helps obtain carbon dioxide. This compound is a diprotic AL daric acid that is found in crystalline structures and is white. It is different from citric acid which is triprotic in structure. This acidic compound has various definitive properties and it is helpful in several industrial processes. There are various pharmaceutical applications associated with this acid. However high dosage of tartaric acid might lead to paralysis for an adult human and it might even lead to fatal consequences.

Structure of tartaric acid

Taratiaric acid is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Structurally this compound has COOH and contains two hydroxy groups. Tartaric acid occurs in nature as a diprotic, alpha hydroxycarboxylic acid in citrus fruits. Three stereoisomeric forms of this compound are meso tartaric acid, D-(-)-tartaric acid, and L-(+)-tartaric acid. This compound can easily mix with water.

This acidic substance has been quite important in studying the aspects of chirality. The naturally occurring tartaric acid is utilized as a raw material during the organic synthesis of various substances. The monoisotopic mass of tartaric acid is 150.016434 Da. This chemical compound has various names and is known as 2, 3-Dihyroxysuccinic acid or dihydroxybutanedioic acid.

Properties of Tartaric acid

Tartaric acid has various definitive properties associated with it. Some of them are mentioned below −

Physical properties

• Molar mass of tartaric acid is 150.08g/mol.

• This chemical compound is obtained in white colour and is crystalline powdered form.

• The density of this acidic compound is 1.79 g/cm3. The chemical component has a water solubility of 0.21kg/mol.

• This substance begins to melt between 171 to 174°C.

• This compound begins to boil at 215°C.

Chemical properties

• Tartaric acid that goes through mild oxidation generates tartronic acid and upon oxidisation using a strong oxidising agent, it gives out oxalic acid.

• Tartaric acid is reduced with the help of 2 moles of HI. It liberates succinic acid as a final product.

• Application of heat to tartaric acid decomposes it to create pyruvic acid that generates C02.

Uses of tartaric acid

Tartaric acid serves various usages some of them are mentioned below −

Figure 3 − Uses of tartaric acid

• Tartaric acid is widely used in various pharmaceutical processes and medicines. This chemical component helps improve the taste of oral medicines when they are mixed with citric acid.

• It is utilised as a chelating agent combined with metals like magnesium. It is helpful in the course of farming as it forms a complex with micronutrients in fertilizers.

• This compound aids in cleaning metal surfaces.

• This compound is quite an important antioxidant. Tartaric acid utilised for tanning leather and silvering of mirrors.

• This acidic compound is helpful in the fermentation of wine.

• It helps in production of candies. This substance is helpful to induce vomiting.

• In the form of cream, it acts as a stabilizer in food and in its ester form it is helpful in the dyeing of textiles.

Effects of tartaric acid

Tartaric acid is enriched in antioxidants and it helps boost immunity for humans. This chemical compound is helpful for the events of digestion and is also crucial in regulating flatulence. This acidic substance enhances absorption in the intestines. This substance improvises conditions of glucose intolerance.

However, there are various ill effects associated with this compound as well. Direct inhalation of this compound can cause serious coughing. Direct ingestion can even cause nausea, pain in the abdomen and infection in the gastrointestinal tracts. This substance used in the treatment of asthma attacks however there is not enough scientific evidence to support this case. Excessive ingestion of this compound can lead to fatal consequences.

Conclusion

Tartaric acid is quite an abundant product that is found in nature through various fruits and sour vegetables as well. This substance is widely utilised in various industrial processes and is a crucial product in the food and beverage industries. There are various types of health benefits associated with moderate consumption of this compound however precautions should be while handling this product.

FAQs

1. What is the use of Rochelle salt?

Rochelle salt is a derivative of tartaric acid. This substance is utilised as a mild laxative. It is helpful in silvering mirrors and is a crucial ingredient for the preparation of Fehling’s solution.

2. How did tartaric acid help in deriving the modern concept of stereoisomerism?

Louis Pasteur was the one to modernise the concept of stereoisomerism that was discovered by Viktor Meyer. Louis Pasteur utilised this concept for the production of Levo tartaric acid by manually sorting sodium ammonium tartrate crystals.

3. How strong is tartaric acid?

The tartaric acid is stronger than the malic and citric acid. It is less susceptible to breakdown in the course of alcoholic and malolactic fermentation processes. When tartaric acid combines with potassium sulfate, the potassium salt of the tartaric acid is gathered and it does not readily mix with water.