PRODUCTS

POTASSIUM SODIUM TARTRATE

CAS Number: 6381-59-5
EC Number: 206-156-8
Molar Mass: 282.23 g/mol
Hill Formula: C₄H₄KNaO₆ * 4 H₂O

Potassium sodium tartrate, also known as Rochelle salt, is a double salt of tartaric acid first prepared (in about 1675) by an apothecary, Pierre Seignette, of La Rochelle, France.
Potassium sodium tartrate and monopotassium phosphate were the first materials discovered to exhibit piezoelectricity.

This property led to Potassium sodium tartrate extensive use in "crystal" gramophone (phono) pick-ups, microphones and earpieces during the post-World War II consumer electronics boom of the mid-20th century.
Such transducers had an exceptionally high output with typical pick-up cartridge outputs as much as 2 volts or more.
Rochelle salt is deliquescent so any transducers based on the material deteriorated if stored in damp conditions.

Potassium sodium tartrate has been used medicinally as a laxative.
Potassium sodium tartrate has also been used in the process of silvering mirrors.

Potassium sodium tartrate is an ingredient of Fehling's solution (reagent for reducing sugars).
Potassium sodium tartrate is used in electroplating, in electronics and piezoelectricity, and as a combustion accelerator in cigarette paper (similar to an oxidizer in pyrotechnics).

In organic synthesis, Potassium sodium tartrate is used in aqueous workups to break up emulsions, particularly for reactions in which an aluminium-based hydride reagent was used.
Sodium Potassium tartrate is also important in the food industry.

Potassium sodium tartrate is a common precipitant in protein crystallography and is also an ingredient in the Biuret reagent which is used to measure protein concentration.
Potassium sodium tartrate maintains cupric ions in solution at an alkaline pH.

Potassium sodium tartrate is a ferroelectric crystal with a high piezoelectric effect and electromechanical coupling coefficient.

Sodium potassium tartrate is a double salt of tartaric acid with a chemical formula C4H4O6KNa·4H2O.
Potassium sodium tartrate is also known as Rochelle salt or Potassium sodium tartrate.

Potassium sodium tartrate is a colourless to white crystalline powder with a cool and saline taste.
Potassium sodium tartrate has a pH value of 6.5 – 8.5.
Potassium sodium tartrate has a large piezometric effect which makes Potassium sodium tartrate widely useful in sensitive vibrational and acoustic devices.

Potassium sodium tartrate (KNaC4H6O6) is a salt made of potassium and sodium.
Potassium sodium tartrate is used as an additive to foods, as a preservative, or in the manufacture of other products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and photographic chemicals.

Potassium sodium tartrate has been shown to have physiological effects on humans, animals and plants.
The effect of KNaC4H6O6 on enzymes has been studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

The phase transition temperature for this compound is around 130°C.
This property can be utilized to purify water vapor by condensing Potassium sodium tartrate at that temperature and then releasing Potassium sodium tartrate when the temperature drops below 100°C.

Potassium sodium tartrate is a double salt first prepared (in about 1675) by an apothecary, Pierre Seignette, of La Rochelle, France.
As a result the salt was known as Seignette's salt or Rochelle salt.

Potassium sodium tartrate is a colorless to blue-white salt crystallizing in the orthorhombic system.
Potassium sodium tartrate molecular formula is KNaC4H4O6·4H2O.

Potassium sodium tartrate is slightly soluble in alcohol but more completely soluble in water.
Potassium sodium tartrate has a specific gravity of about 1.79, a melting point of approximately 75 °C, and has a saline, cooling taste.
As a food additive, Potassium sodium tartrate E number is E337.

Potassium sodium tartrate has been used medicinally as a purgative but in more recent years Potassium sodium tartrate piezoelectric properties have been more important and Potassium sodium tartrate has found usage in phonograph pickups and other sensing devices.
Potassium sodium tartrate has also been used in the process of silvering mirrors.
Potassium sodium tartrate is an ingredient of Fehling's solution, formerly used in the determination of reducing sugars in solutions.

In organic synthesis, Potassium sodium tartrate is used in aqueous workups to break up emulsions, particularly for reactions in which an aluminum-based hydride reagent was used.

Potassium sodium tartrate is also an ingredient in the Biuret reagent which is used to measure protein concentration.

This property led to Potassium sodium tartrate extensive use in "crystal" gramophone (phono) pick-ups, microphones and earpieces during the post-World War II consumer electronics boom of the mid-20th Century.
Such transducers had an exceptionally high output with typical pick-up cartridge outputs as much as 2 volts or more.
Rochelle salt is deliquescent so any transducers based on the material deteriorated if stored in damp conditions.

Potassium sodium tartrate has been used medicinally as a laxative.
Potassium sodium tartrate has also been used in the process of silvering mirrors.

Applications of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Potassium sodium tartrate has been used in the preparation of Lowry reagent for the determination of microsomal protein concentration in rat hepatic microsomes by Lowry method.
Potassium sodium tartrate may be used as a constituent to prepare DNS (3,5- dinitrosalicylic acid) reagent and Fehling′s solution B, which are used in the determination of reducing sugar.

Uses of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Potassium sodium tartrate is used as sequestrant and general purpose food additive.
Potassium sodium tartrate is used in mirror production, Fehling's solution, crystal-controlled oscillators, and as saline cathartic

Sodium potassium tartrate is used as a laxative.
Potassium sodium tartrate is used in the silvering of mirrors.

Potassium sodium tartrate is one of the ingredients in Fehling’s solution.
Potassium sodium tartrate is used in the electroplating process.

Potassium sodium tartrate is used in cigarette paper.
Potassium sodium tartrate is used to break up emulsions.

Potassium sodium tartrate is one of the ingredients in Biuret reagent to measure the concentration of protein.
Potassium sodium tartrate helps to maintain alkaline pH.
Potassium sodium tartrate is used as a common precipitant in protein crystallography.

Food Chemical:
Emulsifier in cheese, buffer in confections, in fruit jelly, preserves & jams.
As saline cathartic.

In mfr of mirrors.
Constituent of fehling's solution.
In crystal-controlled electronic oscillators.

Arts and crafts:
Multi-component crafting kits where individual products are not designated
Products related to pottery making which can not be assigned to a more refined category.

Laboratory supplies:
Products specifically used in a laboratory setting, e.g. laboratory diagnostics or consumables, solvents and reagents used in experiments or laboratory tests, etc.
Includes supplies for medical testing.
Note that pure chemicals will be included in the 'Raw materials' category.

Medical/dental:
Medical and dental supplies and equipment, e.g. medical equipment used in a hospital or doctor's office setting, at home (e.g. wheelchairs, colostomy bag).
Includes clothing and personal protective equipment used in medical settings (e.g. scrubs, face masks, gowns, gloves).
Excludes medical testing supplies.

Structure of Sodium Potassium Tartrate:
C4H4O6KNa·4H2O is the chemical formula of Sodium potassium tartrate which has ten oxygen atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, four carbon atoms, one potassium atom, and one sodium atom.

Preparation of Potassium sodium tartrate:
The starting material is tartar with a minimum tartaric acid content 68 %.
This is first dissolved in water or in the mother liquor of a previous batch.

Potassium sodium tartrate is then basified with hot saturated sodium hydroxide solution to pH 8, decolorized with activated charcoal, and chemically purified before being filtered.
The filtrate is evaporated to 42 °Bé at 100 °C, and passed to granulators in which Seignette's salt crystallizes on slow cooling.

The salt is separated from the mother liquor by centrifugation, accompanied by washing of the granules, and is dried in a rotary furnace and sieved before packaging.
Commercially marketed grain sizes range from 2000 μm to < 250 μm (powder).

Larger crystals of Rochelle salt have been grown under conditions of reduced gravity and convection on board Skylab.
Rochelle salt crystals will begin to dehydrate when the relative humidity drops to about 30 per cent and will begin to dissolve at relative humidities above 84 per cent.

Rochelle salt (potassium sodium tartrate, NaKC4H4O6) can easily be prepared from potassium bitartrate (KHC4H4O6) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).
First heat a potassium bitartrate solution.

Add sodium carbonate to the still hot solution.
Add sodium carbonate until no more reacts (Effervescence will occur).

Filter the solution while hot and then heat to evaporate the water.
After continued heating potassium sodium tartrate will precipitate.

Piezoelectricity of Potassium sodium tartrate:
In 1824, Sir David Brewster demonstrated piezoelectric effects using Rochelle salts, which led to him naming the effect pyroelectricity.
In 1919, Alexander McLean Nicolson worked with Rochelle salt developing audio related inventions like microphones and speakers at Bell Labs.

Identification of Potassium sodium tartrate:

Analytic Laboratory Methods of Potassium sodium tartrate:
NIOSH Method: 173.
Analyte: Sodium.
Matrix: Air.
Procedure: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
This method has a detection limit of 0.0002 and sensitivity of 0.015 ug/ml.
The working range for a precision better than 3% RSD/CV is 0.05-1.0 ug/ml.
Interference: Spectral, ionization, chemical and physical interferences.

NIOSH Method: 7300.
Analyte: Sodium.
Matrix: Air.
Procedure: Inductively coupled argon plasma, atomic emission spectroscopy.
For sodium this method has an estimated detection limit of 10 ng/ml sample.
The precision/RSD and the recovery are not determined.

Applicability: The working range of this method is 0.005 to 2.0 mg/cu m for each element in a 500 liter air sample.
Interferences: Spectral interferences.

NIOSH Method 173.
Analyte: Potassium.
Matrix: Air.
Procedure: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
This method has a detection limit of 0.002 ug/ml and sensitivity of 0.04 ug/ml.
The working range for a precision better than 3% RSD/CV is 0.1-2.0 ug/ml.
Interferences: Spectral, ionization, chemical, physical interferences.

Method 3500-Potassium C.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Method for the determination of potassium in water and wastewater.
Trace amounts of potassium can be determined in either a direct-reading or internal-standard type of flame photometer at a wavelength of 766.5 nm.

Magnesium begins to interfere when the magnesium-to-potassium ratio exceeds 100:1.
Minimum detectable concentration: Potassium levels of approximately 0.1 mg/l can be determined.
A synthetic sample containing 3.1 mg potassium/l was analyzed in 33 laboratories by the flame photometric method, with a relative standard deviation of 15.5% and a relative error of 2.3%.

Other Experimental Properties of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Translucent crystals or white, crystalline powder.
Cooling saline taste.
Slightly effloresces in warm air.
Density: 1.79.
mp: 70-80 °C.
At 100 °C loses 3 water molecules.
Becomes anhydrous at 130-140 °C.
At 220 °C begins to decompose.
Sol in 0.9 parts water.
Almost insol in alcohol.
The aqueous solution is slightly alkaline to litmus.
pH 7-8.
Loses water of crystallization at 140 °C

Physicochemical Information of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Melting Point: 70 - 80 °C
pH value: 7.0 - 8.5 (H₂O)
Bulk density: 1000 kg/m3
Solubility: 630 g/l

Identifiers of Potassium sodium tartrate:
CAS Number:
304-59-6
6381-59-5 (tetrahydrate)
ChemSpider: 8031536
ECHA InfoCard: 100.132.041
EC Number: 206-156-8
E number: E337 (antioxidants, ...)
PubChem CID: 9855836
UNII:
P49F8NV7ES
QH257BPV3J (tetrahydrate)
CompTox Dashboard (EPA): DTXSID20980375
InChI:
InChI=1S/C4H6O6.K.Na/c5-1(3(7)8)2(6)4(9)10;;/h1-2,5-6H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10);;/q;2*+1/p-2
Key: LJCNRYVRMXRIQR-UHFFFAOYSA-L
InChI=1/C4H6O6.K.Na/c5-1(3(7)8)2(6)4(9)10;;/h1-2,5-6H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10);;/q;2*+1/p-2
Key: LJCNRYVRMXRIQR-NUQVWONBAG
SMILES: [K+].[Na+].O=C([O-])C(O)C(O)C([O-])=O

Properties of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Chemical formula: KNaC4H4O6·4H2O
Molar mass: 210.158 g/mol
Appearance: large colorless monoclinic needles
Odor: odorless
Density: 1.79 g/cm3
Melting point: 75 °C (167 °F; 348 K)
Boiling point: 220 °C (428 °F; 493 K) anhydrous at 130 ℃; decomposes at 220 ℃
Solubility in water: 26 g / 100 mL (0 ℃); 66 g / 100 mL (26 ℃)
Solubility in ethanol: insoluble

Grade: ACS reagent
Quality Level: 200
Assay:
99%
99.0-102.0% (ACS specification)
Form: powder or crystals
Impurities: ≤0.005% insolubles
pH: 6.0-8.5

Anion traces:
chloride (Cl-): ≤0.001%
phosphate (PO43-): ≤0.002%
sulfate (SO42-): ≤0.005%

Cation traces:
Ca: ≤0.005%
Fe: ≤0.001%
NH4+: ≤0.002%
heavy metals: ≤5 ppm (by ICP)

SMILES string: O.O.O.O.[Na+].[K+].O[C@H]([C@@H](O)C([O-])=O)C([O-])=O
InChI: 1S/C4H6O6.K.Na.4H2O/c5-1(3(7)8)2(6)4(9)10;;;;;;/h1-2,5-6H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10);;;4*1H2/q;2*+1;;;;/p-2/t1-,2-;;;;;;/m1....../s1
InChI key: VZOPRCCTKLAGPN-ZFJVMAEJSA-L

Molecular Weight: 210.16
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 2
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 6
Rotatable Bond Count: 1
Exact Mass: 209.95426361
Monoisotopic Mass: 209.95426361
Topological Polar Surface Area: 121 Å²
Heavy Atom Count: 12
Complexity: 123
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 2
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 3
Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes

Specifications of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Assay (alkalimetric): 99.0 - 102.0 %
Insoluble matter: ≤ 0.005 %
pH-value (5 %; water; 25 °C): 7.0 - 8.5
Chloride (Cl): ≤ 0.0005 %
Phosphate (PO₄): ≤ 0.001 %
Sulfate (SO₄): ≤ 0.005 %
Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤ 0.0005 %
Ca (Calcium): ≤ 0.004 %
Cu (Copper): ≤ 0.0005 %
Fe (Iron): ≤ 0.0005 %
NH₄ (Ammonium): ≤ 0.002 %
Pb (Lead): ≤ 0.0005 %

Structure of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Crystal structure: orthorhombic

Related compounds of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Acid potassium tartrate
Aluminum tartrate
Ammonium tartrate
Calcium tartrate
Metatartaric acid
Potassium antimonyl tartrate
Potassium tartrate
Sodium ammonium tartrate
Sodium tartrate

Names of Potassium sodium tartrate:

IUPAC name of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Sodium potassium L(+)-tartrate tetrahydrate

Other names of Potassium sodium tartrate:
E337
Seignette's salt
Rochelle salt

Synonyms of Potassium sodium tartrate:
Potassium sodium tartrate
Seignette salt
304-59-6
Rochelle salt
SODIUM POTASSIUM TARTRATE
Potassium sodium L(+)-tartrate
Monopotassium monosodium tartrate
Sodium potassium L-tartrate
Potassium sodium tartrate anhydrous
147-79-5
Tartaric acid, monopotassium monosodium salt
L-Potassium sodium tartrate
P49F8NV7ES
CHEBI:63019
Sodium potassium salt of L-(+)-tartaric acid
Alkaline potassium sodium tartrate
potassium;sodium;(2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate
2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid, monopotassium monosodium salt
CCRIS 3949
HSDB 765
Sodium potassium (dl)-tartrate
Potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate
EINECS 206-156-8
potassium sodium l-tartrate
UNII-P49F8NV7ES
Rochelle's salt
Seignette's salt
EINECS 205-698-2
Tartaric acid, potassium sodium salt
potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate
ROCHELLE SALTS
Potassium sodium (R*,R*)-(1)-tartrate
Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (2R,3R)-, monopotassium monosodium salt
Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-, monopotassium monosodium salt
L-Potassiumsodiumtartrate
Monopotassium monosodium 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate, (R-(R*,R*))-
Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (R-(R*,R*))-, monopotassium monosodium salt
EC 206-156-8
potassium sodium L-tartarate
POTASSIUMSODIUMTARTRATE
SCHEMBL454101
CHEMBL2219738
DTXSID60932999
DTXSID90889341
Potassium Sodium L-(+)-Tartrate
AKOS015915091
POTASSIUM SODIUM TARTRATE
potassium sodium tartrate tetrahy-drate
Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (theta-(theta,theta))-, monopotassium monosodium salt
POTASSIUM SODIUM TARTRATE
L-Potassium sodium tartrate 304-59-6
15490-42-3
ANHYDROUS SODIUM POTASSIUM TARTRATE
BP-21323
L-(+)-Tartaric Acid Potassium Sodium Salt
P1798
F76579
potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxysuccinate
ANHYDROUS SODIUM POTASSIUM TARTRATE
Potassium sodium 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (1/1/1)
rel-Potassium sodium (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxysuccinate
Potassium sodium tartrate solution, BioUltra, 1.5 M in H2O
Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy- (2R,3R)-, potassium sodium salt (1:1:1)
BUTANEDIOIC ACID, 2,3-DIHYDROXY-, (R-(R*,R*))-, MONOPOTASSIUM MONOSODIUM SALT
Potassium sodium tartrate
Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-, monopotassium monosodium salt
Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-, potassium sodium salt (1:1:1)
Fehling's reagent (B)
Kaliumnatrium-2,3-dihydroxysuccinat (1:1:1)
MFCD00012467 [MDL number]
MONOPOTASSIUM MONOSODIUM TARTRATE
Potassium sodium 2,3-dihydroxysuccinate (1:1:1)
Potassium sodium tartrate anhydrous
Sodium potassium (dl)-tartrate
Sodium potassium tartrate
Tartaric acid, monopotassium monosodium salt
Tartrate de potassium et de sodium (1:1:1)
1313437-85-2
147-79-5
6100-16-9
6381-59-5
MFCD00150989
potassium sodium 2,3-dihydroxysuccinate
potassium sodium tartaric acid
potassiumsodiumtartrate
Rochelle salt
Seignettesalz
sodium potassium tartarate
sodium potassium tartaric acid
tartaric acid monosodium monokalium