Sodium tartrate monobasic monohydrate shows up in the world of chemicals as a clear, crystalline material with a unique combination of sodium ions, tartrate ions, and water molecules. The chemical formula NaC4H4O6·H2O points to its structure: one sodium atom, a tartrate backbone, and one crystal water molecule. This combination shapes everything from how it looks, right down to what jobs it can handle in the lab or on the factory floor. Most know it as a white solid, though sometimes it may have a translucent quality. The taste swings toward slightly salty and tart, which comes straight from the tartrate’s natural acids. It’s primarily sourced as a laboratory agent or food additive, but its reach doesn’t end there. The HS Code often used in international trade for this material is 29181300, which lines up with salts and esters of tartaric acid. This number matters for importers, exporters, and customs agents who want to keep things running by the book.
Look at sodium tartrate monobasic monohydrate in your hand, and you’ll usually see it in the form of flakes, crystalline powder, or small white pearls, all dry to the touch. Its specific molecular weight clocks in at about 194.07 g/mol. The structure holds together strongly thanks to robust hydrogen bonds formed by the water molecule clasped to the tartrate base. Crystals tend to shine, especially in bright light, while the powder can cake together in high humidity. The density settles at roughly 1.79 g/cm³, letting it pack tightly, whether in solid or powdered form. This feature helps with storage and transport, which often happens in airtight bags or barrels. As for solutions, it dissolves readily in water, releasing sodium and tartrate ions that interact with other chemicals or participate in various reactions. The material takes on fresh physical roles in each form—powder, pearl, or flake—making it versatile. No one would mix it in a beaker and mistake it for an oil; the way it interacts with liquids speaks to its ionic nature. It doesn’t float or break apart the way oils do, and that difference sets it apart in practical lab work.
Each batch tends to come with standard purity—usually well above 99%—if used in food or pharmaceuticals, and around 98% or slightly less for more industrial applications. Impurity checks typically hunt for chloride, sulfate, and heavy metal ions, with safe levels much lower than those considered dangerous by current safety standards. Whether shipped in bags, drums, or smaller containers, the crystal and flake forms are the easiest to handle and measure in both lab and industrial setups. Its ability to act as a source of sodium ions or as a buffering agent lands it jobs in several fields: food processing (where purity and safety matter most), analytical chemistry (as a titration standard), and sometimes even in medical applications. Since every gram counts in analysis, the known density and consistent atomic makeup provide reliability across batches. The price point fluctuates based on supply and demand, and purity directly impacts this number. With its fairly high solubility in water, sodium tartrate monobasic monohydrate can be used to prep up solutions of known concentration rapidly, which cuts down work hours and potential errors in measurement. Warehouses and distributors often keep tight tabs on humidity and light exposure, as the material absorbs water over time, potentially shifting weight and purity values, which impacts both customer trust and regulatory compliance.
Dealing with sodium tartrate monobasic monohydrate doesn’t raise major red flags for hazards—at least, not in the way many industrial chemicals do. It falls out of the highly dangerous category, but basic chemical handling principles still stand. Its powder can be irritating if inhaled in large amounts, especially for workers with sensitive respiratory systems. On skin, it usually causes little reaction, but open wounds or prolonged exposure can lead to mild irritation. Long-term or excessive ingestion beyond safe dietary limits isn’t wise, owing to its sodium content and organic acid foundation. The Material Safety Data Sheet will flag the main risks as respiratory and skin irritation, warnings that shouldn’t be shrugged off in busy workspaces. Working near open dishes or mixing in large volumes deserves a dust mask and gloves as standard practice, plus access to running water for quick rinsing. In terms of reactivity, sodium tartrate monobasic monohydrate stays fairly stable under most storage conditions. It does not react violently with air, water, or common lab materials, so warehouses tend to see it as a low-risk commodity. For waste, dump it in line with standard chemical disposal protocols, never down regular drains or mixed with incompatible chemicals, which could create harder-to-manage hazards. Keeping the original packaging tightly sealed, stored in cool and dry areas, and away from reactive raw materials avoids both clumping and possible unintended reactions.
Across industry, research, and food production, sodium tartrate monobasic monohydrate’s reputation comes from reliability. It doesn’t steal the spotlight but sits among the workhorses ensuring accuracy and repeatable results. Food additive applications favor it for stability and safety history, while titrations in water analysis rely on its predictable dissolution and near-perfect molecular makeup. Its place as a raw material runs deep in fermentation, flavor formulation, and even as part of specific medical test reagents—jobs that need a material to act the same way each time. While alternative chemicals sometimes threaten to edge it out, they rarely match its blend of safety, solubility, and consistent molecular weight. Some see it as old-fashioned, but most professionals keep relying on it for critical tasks, especially where measurement errors cost time and money.
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