868-14-4 Usage
Description
L(+)-Potassium hydrogen tartrate, also known as potassium bitartrate, is the potassium acid salt of tartaric acid, a carboxylic acid. It is a byproduct of the winemaking process and can be found naturally in grapes. Potassium bitartrate is an acidic, white, odorless powder that is slightly soluble in water. It has a variety of uses in food, household, and industrial applications.
Uses
Used in Food Industry:
L(+)-Potassium hydrogen tartrate is used as a stabilizer for egg whites and whipped cream, increasing their heat tolerance, texture, and volume. It is also used to prevent sugar syrups from crystallizing, reduce discoloration of boiled vegetables, and thicken tartar sauce. Additionally, it serves as an acid ingredient in baking powder to activate baking soda and as a component of sodium-free salt substitutes in combination with potassium chloride.
Used in Household:
L(+)-Potassium hydrogen tartrate can be mixed with an acidic liquid such as lemon juice or white vinegar to create a paste-like cleaning agent for metals like brass, aluminum, or copper. It can also be mixed with water for other cleaning applications, such as removing light stains from porcelain. It was traditionally used in dyeing to adjust the solubility and hydrolysis of mordant salts, and when mixed with hydrogen peroxide, it can be used to clean rust from hand tools.
Used in Chemistry:
L(+)-Potassium hydrogen tartrate, with the formula KC4H5O6, is used as a primary reference standard for a pH buffer, according to NIST. It is also used as a reductant during the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles in the presence of linear polymers as protective agents.
Used in Wine Making:
Potassium bitartrate crystallizes in wine casks during the fermentation of grape juice and can precipitate out of wine in bottles. Its removal is necessary during wine making as it can precipitate, which is undesirable.
Used in Medical Applications:
L(+)-Potassium hydrogen tartrate has a long history of medical use as a laxative administered as a rectal suppository and is an approved third-class OTC drug in Japan. It was also one of the active ingredients in Phexxi, a non-hormonal contraceptive agent approved by the FDA in May 2020. Recent research has shown that it is capable of treating breast cancer.
Used in Industrial Applications:
L(+)-Potassium hydrogen tartrate is used in baking powders, coloring metals, and galvanic tinning of metals. It also serves as a reducer of CrO3 in mordants for wool.
Approved by the FDA as a direct food substance, potassium bitartrate is used as an additive, stabilizer, pH control agent, antimicrobial agent, processing aid, or thickener in various food products.
Preparation
potassium bitartrate is mainly produced from the mother liquor of Seignette's salt. These decolorized, purified, and filtered solutions are acidified to pH 3.5 with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. Since cream of tartar is sparingly soluble, it precipitates and is recovered by centrifugation, dried, and ground before being packaged as fine powder.
Purification Methods
It crystallises from water (17mL/g) between 100o and 0o. Dry it at 110o. [Beilstein 3 IV 1222.]
References
Coulter, A. D, et al. "Potassium bitartrate crystallisation in wine and its inhibition." Australian Journal of Grape & Wine Research 21.S1(2016):627-641.
Berg, H. W, and M. Akiyoshi. "Utility of potassium bitartrate concentration-product values in wine processing." Amer J Enol Vitic (1971).
Cremer, G. A., and R. Boulton. "The hydrolysis of gelatin by an immobilized acid protease. I. Immobilization and hydrolysis kinetics. " American Journal of Enology & Viticulture 1(1981):14-17.
Dr, María J. Vicent, et al. "The Therapeutic Action of Potassium Bitartrate." Angewandte Chemie 44.26(2005):4061-6.
Check Digit Verification of cas no
The CAS Registry Mumber 868-14-4 includes 6 digits separated into 3 groups by hyphens. The first part of the number,starting from the left, has 3 digits, 8,6 and 8 respectively; the second part has 2 digits, 1 and 4 respectively.
Calculate Digit Verification of CAS Registry Number 868-14:
(5*8)+(4*6)+(3*8)+(2*1)+(1*4)=94
94 % 10 = 4
So 868-14-4 is a valid CAS Registry Number.
InChI:InChI=1/C4H6O6.K/c5-1(3(7)8)2(6)4(9)10;/h1-2,5-6H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10);/q;+1/p-2
868-14-4Relevant articles and documents
Carpenter, D. C.,Mack, G. L.
, p. 311 (1934)
Therapeutic 1-(acylamino)-naphthalene-4-sulphonic acid derivatives
-
, (2008/06/13)
Compounds for effecting hemostatic and antifibrinolytic action, namely a 1-acylamino naphthalene-4 sulphonic acid derivative of the formula STR1 and compositions and method of achieving such action.
