Potassium bitartrate

Potassium bitartrate

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Potassium (2R,3R)-2,3,4-trihydroxy-4-oxobutanoate
Other names Potassium hydrogen tartrate Cream of tartar Potassium acid tartrate Monopotassium tartrate Beeswing
Identifiers
CAS Number	868-14-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	12783 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.011.609
E number	E336 (antioxidants, ...)
PubChem CID	23666342
UNII	NPT6P8P3UU Y
InChI InChI=1S/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-1/t1-,2-;/m1./s1 N Key: KYKNRZGSIGMXFH-ZVGUSBNCSA-M N 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-1/t1-,2-;/m1./s1 Key: KYKNRZGSIGMXFH-APGVQJISBP
SMILES [C@@H]([C@H](C(=O)[O-])O)(C(=O)O)O.[K+]
Properties
Chemical formula	KC4H5O6
Molar mass	188.177
Appearance	White crystalline powder
Density	1.05 g/cm3 (solid)
Solubility in water	0.57 g/100 ml (20 °C) 6.1 g/100 ml (100 °C)
Solubility	Soluble in acid, alkali Insoluble in acetic acid, alcohol
Refractive index (nD)	1.511
Pharmacology
ATC code	A12BA03 (WHO)
Hazards
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	22 g/kg (oral, rat)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Potassium bitartrate, also known as potassium hydrogen tartrate, with formula KC₄H₅O₆, is a chemical compound with a number of uses.

Some of the uses of potassium bitartrate (cream of tartar) include as a mordant in textile dyeing, in the galvanic tinning of metals, as reducer of chromium trioxide in mordants for wool, in dusting powders for gloves, to make hard candies, in baking powders and baking mixes, as a metal processing agent (prevents oxidation), as an intermediate for other potassium tartrates, to remove sulfur dioxide from waste gases (in solution), as a medical cathartic, as a diuretic, and as a historic veterinary laxative and diuretic.^[1]

It is a byproduct of winemaking. In cooking, it is known as cream of tartar. It is processed from the potassium acid salt of tartaric acid (a carboxylic acid). The resulting powder can be used in baking or as a cleaning solution (when mixed with an acidic solution such as lemon juice or white vinegar).