Potassium tartrate

Potassium tartrate
Names

IUPAC name Dipotassium 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate
Other names Dipotassium tartrate; Argol; E336
Identifiers
CAS Registry Number	921-53-9 (L)^N
ChemSpider	2697916^Y
InChI InChI=1S/C4H6O6.2K/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^Y Key: AVTYONGGKAJVTE-UHFFFAOYSA-L^Y InChI=1/C4H6O6.2K/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: AVTYONGGKAJVTE-NUQVWONBAX
Jmol-3D images	Image
PubChem	8984
SMILES C(C(C(=O)[O-])O)(C(=O)[O-])O.[K+].[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	C₄H₄K₂O₆
Molar mass	226.268 g/mol
Appearance	colorless, slightly opaque crystals
Density	1.984 g/cm³
Solubility	insoluble in alcohol
Refractive index (n_D)	1.550
Structure
Crystal structure	monoclinic
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
N verify (what is: Y/N?)
Infobox references

Potassium tartrate, dipotassium tartrate or argol has formula K₂C₄H₄O₆. It is the potassium salt of tartaric acid. It is often confused with potassium bitartrate, also known as cream of tartar. As a food additive, it shares the E number E336 with potassium bitartrate.

Manufacturing

Potassium tartrate is produced by the reaction of tartaric acid with potassium sodium tartrate (rochelle salt), and potassium sulfate, followed by filtration, purification, precipitation and drying.

Other compounds

Tartar emetic is produced when potassium tartrate is heated with antimony trioxide. Tartar emetic causes intense nausea, prostration and vomiting by irritating the gastrointestinal mucosa.