Sodium potassium tartrate is a double salt of tartaric acid with the chemical formula C4H4O6KNa·4H2O. It is also referred to as Rochelle salt or potassium sodium tartrate in some circles.
It is a colourless to white crystalline powder with a cool and saline taste that can be found in many foods. It has a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5, making it a basic solution. It has a significant piezometric effect, which makes it extremely useful in sensitive vibrational and acoustic devices, among other applications.
Step-by-step procedure for the preparation of sodium potassium tartrate.
The following equipments and ingredients are required:
2NaHCO3 + CO2 + H2O → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
KHC4H4O6 + Na2CO3 → C4H4O6KNa4.H2O
C4H4O6KNa4.H2O
We conclude that potassium tartrate, also known as Rochelle salt, is a double salt of tartaric acid and is therefore a double salt of potassium. It was created for the first time in the year 1672 by an apothecary from La Rochelle, France, named Pierre Seignette. Rochelle salt is a white crystalline powder with a slightly bitter taste that is found in small amounts. 6.5–8.5 is the pH range for this solution. A by-product of the wine industry, crude Cream of Tartar is used to create it through the reaction of Sodium Hydroxide with the cream of tartar. Both alcohol and ether are almost completely insoluble in it.