EXPERIMENT 3-4:

Preparation of KNa Tartrate; Reactions of K and Na Ions

Potassium Sodium Tartrate

Aka. Sodium Potassium Tartrate, Sal Seignette, or Rochelle Salt

Physical Properties

It occurs as a white, crystalline powder, or as large, colorless, transparent, rhombic prisms which effloresce
slightly in warm, dry air. It is odourless, has a cooling, saline taste, and a specific gravity of 1.783

One gram of salt is soluble in 1 mL of water at 25°C. it is practically insoluble in alcohol.

Commercial Manufacture

It is prepared by neutralizing a solution of Sodium Carbonate with Potassium Bitartrate. The solution is boiled
for a short time and exact neutrality produced by the addition of either sodium carbonate or potassium
bitartrate. The solution is then allowed to stand at 60°C for a period of time to permit the complete evolution of
carbon dioxide thus forcing the reaction to completion. It is filtered, concentrated and crystallized.

Chemical Equation involved in the experiment

USES

Potassium Sodium Tartrate (Rochelle Salt), NF contains 4 molecules of water of crystallization corresponding to
not less than 21% and not more than 26% of water. Depending upon the dose, the action of Rochelle Salt ranges
from a mile laxative to an active Hydragougue (a cathartic that causes copious watery discharges from the
bowels). A palatable form for oral administration is SEIDLITZ POWDERS. Usual dose – 10grams.

IDENTIFCATION TESTS

R The salt, when ignited, gives the odor of burnt sugar and leaves residue of sodium and potassium
carbonates that is alkaline to litmus paper and gives off carbon dioxide on acidification.

R
 EXPERIMENT 3-4:
Preparation of KNa Tartrate; Reactions of K and Na Ions

R Acidification on aqueous solution (1 in 20) of the salts results in a precipitate of potassium bitartrate.
 EXPERIMENT 3-4:
Preparation of KNa Tartrate; Reactions of K and Na Ions

R A solution of the slat (1 in 10) gives the tests for Tartrate (tests for
Potassium Bitartrate).
 A solution of the salt is positive to all test for Potassium
- Potassium compounds impart a VIOLET color to non-
luminous flame, but the presence of sodium masks the
color unless the yellow color produced by sodium is
screened out by viewing through a blue filter that blocks
the emissions at 589 nm (Sodium) but is transparent to the
emission at 404 nm (Potassium)

- Concentrated solutions of Potassium salts give a white crystalline precipitate with Sodium
Bitartrate TS that is soluble in 6N Ammonium Hydroxide and in solution of alkali hydroxides and
carbonates. The precipitation is usually slow and is accelerated by stirring or rubbing the inside of
the test tube with a glass rod. The addition of small amount of glacial acetic acid or alcohol
promotes the precipitation.

 Potassium Bitartrate chars when heated. It gives off inflammable vapors having odor of burnt sugar.

 Sodium Cobaltinitrite TS forms an orange precipitate with solutions of potassium bitartrate. When a
neutral solution of a potassium salt is made slightly acid with acetic acid and then added to a solution of
Sodium Cobaltinitrite, a double salt of Potassium Sodium Cobaltinitrite is precipitated. Potassium
cobaltinitrite is practically insoluble in water (1 to 11000 at 15 °C), and completely insoluble in alcohol.
 EXPERIMENT 3-4:
Preparation of KNa Tartrate; Reactions of K and Na Ions

 A silver mirror is formed with Silver Nitrate TS and Ammonia TS. When Silver Nitrate TS is added to a
saturated aqueous solution of Potassium salt, previously made neutral with a solution of Sodium
Hydroxide, a White precipitate is formed. If this precipitate is dissolved in sufficient amount of
Ammonia TS, and the solution is warmed, the SILVER AMMONIA COMPLEX is reduced to FREE SILVER.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What will happen to the product if it is dried in an oven?

Potassium Sodium Tartrate melts at about 74°C. When the temperature is raised (when heated in an
oven), it carbonizes and gives off inflammable vapors having the odor of burnt sugar. A residue of
carbonates of Potassium and Sodium remains.
 EXPERIMENT 3-4:
Preparation of KNa Tartrate; Reactions of K and Na Ions

Reactions of Sodium and Potassium

POTASSIUM

Occurrence – Potassium in never found free in nature but, un combination, the metal is widely and abundantly
distributed

Physical Properties – When newly cut, Potassium is a silver-white metal. It is slightly softer than sodium and has
lower melting point and boiling point. The metal dissolves in liquid ammonia, forming a blue solution. Upon
exposure to atmosphere potassium immediately forms film oxide.

Chemical Properties – When Potassium metal is heated in air it fuses and then inflames, producing a mixture of
oxides. Potassium is a little more reactive than sodium. The element combines violently with sulphur, oxygen
and the halogens. Potassium decomposes water with the evolution of hydrogen and the formation of the
hydroxide. It gives violet color in flame test.

Chemical Reactions involved:

Procedure:
To about 1.0mL of 0.5M Potassium chloride solution, add:
a. About 1.0mL of a saturated solution of tartaric acid in alcohol. Shake well. Observe the result.
b. About 1.0mL of sodium bicarbonate T.S. Accelerate the formation of precipitate which usually slow, by
stirring or rubbing the inside of the test tube with a glass rod. Filter. To each of the 2 separate portions
of the filtrate, add a little glacial acetic acid and ethyl alcohol. What is the action of each?

R Potassium Chloride with a saturated solution of Tartaric acid.

a. The reaction will yield Potassium Bitartrate, a white precipitate.
b. Upon the addition of Sodium Bicarbonate TS, will precipitate Potassium Sodium Tartrate. Glacial acetic
acid and Alcohol increases the speed of precipitation. Potassium Sodium Tartrate is practically insoluble
in alcohol.
 EXPERIMENT 3-4:
Preparation of KNa Tartrate; Reactions of K and Na Ions

SODIUM

Occurrence – sodium like other elements belonging to the group of alkali metals, is found abundantly and widely
distributed in nature, but always in combination. Sodium chloride forms more than 2/3 of the solids dissolved in
sea water. It occurs also in the form of rock salt in the earth.

Physical Properties – sodium is a soft metal having a silvery white luster when freshly cut. At ordinary
temperatures the metal has the consistency of wax and can be readily cut by a knife. It hardens on cooling.
Sodium occurs high in the electromotive series of the metals duet to its marked tendency to lose an electron
and pass from an elemental into the ionic state.

Chemical Properties – Sodium metal is very reactive chemically. Because of this activity, it is stored under an
inert liquid such as kerosene to retard the action of air and moisture upon it or in air-tight containers. When
exposed to the air, it rapidly becomes covered with a dull gray coating which is a mixture of hydroxide, oxide
and carbonate metal. When heated in air, it burns with a bright yellow flame, forming sodium monoxide (Na 2O)
and Sodium Peroxide (Na2O2). Sodium decomposes water with the formation of the hydroxides and the
evolution of hydrogen, which inflames only when hot water is used.

Non-Luminous Flame Test – Intense YELLOW FLAME

Chemical Reactions Involved:

Procedure
To about 1.0mL of 0.5M Sodium chloride solution, add:
a. About 1.0mL of a saturated solution of tartaric acid in alcohol. Shake well. Observe the result.
b. About 1.0mL of sodium bicarbonate T.S. Accelerate the formation of precipitate which usually slow, by
stirring or rubbing the inside of the test tube with a glass rod. Filter. To each of the 2 separate portions
of the filtrate, add a little glacial acetic acid and ethyl alcohol. What is the action of each?

R NaCl will give Sodium Hydrogen Tartrate with Tartaric Acid. Unlike Potassium Bitartrate, Sodium Hydrogen
Tartrate gives no visible reaction with Sodium Bicarbonate TS.
 EXPERIMENT 3-4:
Preparation of KNa Tartrate; Reactions of K and Na Ions

ID TEST FOR SODIUM

R Solutions of Sodium compounds produce NO PRECIPITATE when reacted with Potassium Carbonate after
heating to boiling. When freshly prepared solution of Potassium pyroantimonate TS is added to a neutral or
slightly alkaline (with KOH) solution of Sodium compounds, and the mixture is heat to boiling or simple
allowed to stand for an hour, a WHITE DENSE PRECIPITATE of DISODIUM PYROANTIMONATE settles out.
The said precipitate is nearly insoluble in water.