Sodium Potassium Tartrate: Introduction, Explanation

In this article, we have covered various topics for Sodium Potassium Tartrate. You can learn about its Preparation, Chemical Reactions, properties, and uses which are discussed in the following article. You will understand the following topics in the article:

Keyterms: Sodium, Potassium, Chemical reactions, Rochelle Salt, Potassium Bitartrate, Sodium bicarbonate, Atom

Read More: Difference between Elements and Compounds

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What is Sodium Potassium Tartrate?

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A Double salt of tartaric acid having a chemical formula of C₄H₄O₆KNa.4H₂O is called Sodium Potassium Tartrate. Sodium Potassium Tartrate is widely known as Rochelle Salt or Potassium Sodium Tartrate also. It has saline and a cool taste and looks like white crystalline powder. Its pH value ranges from 6.5 to 8.5. Sodium Potassium Tartrate has a large piezometric effect which makes it useful for vibrational, sensitive, and acoustic devices.

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Preparation of Sodium Potassium Tartrate

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The procedure of preparation of Sodium Potassium Tartrate is given below.

Some of the required Ingredients and apparatus are:

• 200 grams Potassium Bitartrate
• 500 grams sodium bicarbonate
• 500 ml Pyrex measuring cup
• A Pyrex container
• Coffee Filter
• A measuring spoon of 2 ml
• Oven
• A jar with a lid
• Filter papers
• Stirrer
• Saucepan
• Water

Step 1: In the first step, sodium bicarbonate is converted to sodium carbonate by following steps:

• Add 500 grams of Sodium Bicarbonate or simply saying, baking soda into a Pyrex container.
• Put the container in an oven for about half an hour at a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius.
• After this, reset the temperature to 120 degrees and place it into the oven for an hour.
• Again, repeat previous steps for 175 degrees and 230 degrees.
• Lastly, take out the container and let it cool naturally to room temperature.
• Transfer the lastly made sodium carbonate to a sealed container.

Step 2: In the second step, the cream of tartar i.e., potassium bitartrate is made to react with sodium carbonate prepared in the previous step to form Sodium Potassium Tartrate. Steps involved in this reaction are:

• Fill the beaker of 500 ml capacity with 250 ml water and then suspend 200 grams sodium bitartrate in that beaker.
• Fill a saucepan with water and place the beaker in it then heat it.
• Heat the arrangement until outer water seems to simmer.
• Add 2.5 ml of sodium carbonate obtained in the previous step to the beaker. Stir the mixture well until the bubbles appear.
• After it, continue adding sodium carbonate until no bubbles appear in the mixture.
• Once all the bubbles stop forming, filter the mixture using filter paper.
• A coffee filter can also be used to filter the hot solution.
• Now evaporate the solution to 400 ml to concentrate it by heating.
• And then let the filtrate cool and then store it in a cool place.
• After storing it for several days, collect the resulting crystals with a process of decantation
• Lastly use the filter paper to dry the crystals.
• At the last, about 210 grams of sodium potassium tartrate or Rochelle salt is obtained.

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Chemical Reactions Involved in the Preparation of Sodium Potassium Tartrate

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The following reaction is involved in converting sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate:

2NaHCO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

Chemical reaction when Potassium Bitartrate i.e., Cream of tartar reacts with sodium carbonate to produce Sodium Potassium Tartrate is:

KHC₄H₄O₆ + Na₂CO₃ → C₄H₄O₆KNa.4H₂O

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Major Properties of Sodium Potassium Tartrate

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Structure of Sodium Potassium Tartrate

The structure of Sodium Potassium Tartrate is illustrated in the diagram above. The chemical formula for Sodium Potassium Tartrate is C₄H₄O₆KNa.4H₂O. The molecule contains 12 atoms of hydrogen, 10 atoms of oxygen, 4 atoms of carbon, one atom of sodium, and one potassium atom.

Read More:- Properties of Matter

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Uses of Sodium Potassium Tartrate

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Some major uses of Sodium Potassium Tartrate are:

• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is used as a laxative (a drug or medicine).
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is used for silvering the mirrors.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is a major ingredient in Fehling’s solution.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is used in cigarette paper.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is used for the electroplating process.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is a major ingredient in Biuret Reagent which measured protein concentration.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is mostly used to maintain alkaline pH.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is also used for protein crystallography.

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Things to Remember

Following are some important points:

• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is also known as Rochelle Salt.
• Chemical Formula for Sodium Potassium Tartrate is C₄H₄O₆KNa.4H₂O.
• The molecule of Sodium Potassium Bitartrate contains 12 atoms of hydrogen, 10 atoms of oxygen, 4 atoms of carbon, one atom of sodium, and one potassium atom.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate has a pH of 6.5 to 8.5. That is why it is used to maintain alkaline pH.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is used for medicines.
• Sodium Potassium Tartrate is also used for other chemical processes.
• Sodium Potassium tartrate may be mildly hazardous if consumed.

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