+

Preparation of Potassium
Tartrate

Common Synonyms of
Potassium sodium tartrate
nRochelle

salt

nSeignette

salt

Classification: Double salt

Terminologies
nDeliquescence: property

of substance that
absorbs water in the air and dissolves in it.

nEfflorescence: property

of substance to give
up or liberate water of hydration.

nHygroscopic: property

of a substance to
absorb water in the air to form water of
hydration without dissolving in it.

Medical Uses of
Potassium sodium tartrate
nComponent

of Seidlitz powder which

is used as cathartic.

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USES:
As Fehlings solution
nAlkaline

cupric sodium potassium

tartrate
nFehlings

A = blue (Cupric sulfate)

nFehlings

B = NaOH + Rochelle Salt

What property of the tartrate ion is

utilized in Fehlings solution?
nSequestration
n

or Chelate Complexation

Chelation describes a particular way that ions and molecules bind

metal ions.
formation ligand and a single central atom.

Usually these ligands are organic compounds, and are called chelants,
chelators, chelating agents, or sequestering agents.

Chelants, are "chemicals that form soluble, complex molecules with

certain metal ions, inactivating the ions so that they cannot normally
react with other elements or ions to produce precipitates or scale

Equation involved in the

preparation
Na2CO3.H2O + 2KHC4H4O6 + 6H2O
2KNaC4H4O6.4H2O + CO2

Properties:
nPhysical

Property:

Form, color, odor and taste of the product

prepared
White crystalline powder or colorless rhombic prism
with saline cooling taste.

Properties:
n

Test for Identity

Reagent
Na3Co(NO2)6
K2H2Sb2O7

Color and
Nature
Yellow
precipitate
White
precipitate

Product
Formula
K2NaCo(NO2)6
Na2H2Sb2O7

Properties:
n

Test for Identity

Tollens Test
Silver mirror

Properties:
n

Test for Identity

Dilute 1 mL of mother liquor with an equal volume of water and

add dropwise 6M CH3COOH until a change is observed.
Results

Equation

White crystalline
precipitate

KNaC4H4O6.4H2O + CH3COOH CH3COONa + KHC4H4O6.4H2O

Properties:
n

Test for Identity

Pyrolysis
Results: white residue + no effervescence

Complete Oxidation:
KNaC4H4O6.4H2O + O2 K2CO3 + Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
K2CO3 + H2SO4 K2SO4 + H2O
Na2CO3 + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + H2O

Properties:
n

Test for Identity

Pyrolysis
Results: black residue + effervescence

Incomplete Oxidation:
KNaC4H4O6.4H2O + O2 K2CO3 + Na2CO3 + C + CO2 + H2O
K2CO3 + H2SO4 K2SO4 + CO2 + H2O
Na2CO3 + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + CO2 + H2O

What are the implications if in the

pyrolysis of the crystals there are
carbon particles remaining
nNo

ample supply of oxygen

nHeating

is insufficient

Properties:
n

Test for Identity

Pyrolysis
(+) 3 M H2SO4

Results

Equation

Effervescence CO2
given off

K2CO3 + H2SO4 K2SO4 + CO2 + H2O

Na2CO3 + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + CO2 +
H2O

Equation involved in the

preparation
Na2CO3.H2O + 2KHC4H4O6 + 6H2O
2KNaC4H4O6.4H2O + CO2

Theoretical Yield

1mole Na CO .H O

2
3 2
3.3g Na2CO3.H2O x
124 g Na2CO3.H2O

10 g KHC4H4O6

2 mole R.S.
282.23 g R.S.
x 1mole Na CO .H O x
1 mole R.S.
2
3 2

1 mole KHC4H4O6
2 moles R.S.
282.23 g R.S.
x
x
188 g KHC4H4O6
2 moles KHC4H4O6
1 mole R.S.