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Tartaric Acid
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C4H6O6 150.09

Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-; Butanedioic acid, 2,3-dihydroxy-, [R-(R*,R*)]-.
Tartaric acid; L -(+)-Tartaric acid [526-83-0] and [87-69-4].
» Tartaric Acid, dried over phosphorus pentoxide for 3 hours, contains not less than 99.7 percent and not more than 100.5 percent of C4H6O6.
Packaging and storage— Preserve in well-closed containers.
Identification—
A: It responds to the tests for Tartrate 191.
B: When ignited, it gradually decomposes, emitting an odor resembling that of burning sugar (distinction from citric acid).
Specific rotation 781S : between +12.0 and +13.0.
Test solution: 200 mg per mL, in water.
Loss on drying 731— Dry it over phosphorus pentoxide for 3 hours: it loses not more than 0.5% of its weight.
Residue on ignition 281 : not more than 0.1%.
Limit of oxalate— Nearly neutralize 10 mL of a solution of it (1 in 10) with 6 N ammonium hydroxide, and add 10 mL of calcium sulfate TS: no turbidity is produced.
Sulfate 221— To 10 mL of a solution (1 in 100) add 3 drops of hydrochloric acid and 1 mL of barium chloride TS: no turbidity is produced.
Residual solvents 467: meets the requirements.
(Official January 1, 2007)
Assay— Place about 2 g of Tartaric Acid, previously dried and accurately weighed, in a conical flask. Dissolve it in 40 mL of water, add phenolphthalein TS, and titrate with 1 N sodium hydroxide VS. Each mL of 1 N sodium hydroxide is equivalent to 75.04 mg of C4H6O6.
Auxiliary Information— Staff Liaison : Catherine Sheehan, B.Sc., Scientist
Expert Committee : (EM105) Excipient Monographs 1
USP29–NF24 Page 3448
Phone Number : 1-301-816-8262