Molekula
L-Tartaric acid
Supplying 4,500+ customers in over 80 countries
ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 certified · Supplying laboratories and industry since 1999 · Listed pack sizes are a starting point — we manufacture, source and repack to the quantity you need
L-Tartaric acid is a naturally occurring organic acid used in food, pharmaceuticals, and chemical synthesis. It functions as a pH adjuster, chelating agent, and enantiomer in asymmetric synthesis. Available in high purity, it has a CAS number of 87-69-4, molecular formula HO2CCH(OH)CH(OH)CO2H, and a molecular weight of 150.09 g/mol. Stored at ambient temperatures, it is classified as a hazardous substance with a signal word of Danger.
Molekula supplies L-Tartaric acid at 99.7% to 100.5% purity (dried basis) in 500 g and 1 kg packs, from £27.60 inc. VAT. It is in stock for same-day dispatch. Every batch ships with a certificate of analysis, and safety data sheets are available in 7 languages. Larger quantities, up to multi-tonne, are quoted on request.
Example image for illustration only. Other packaging and pack sizes are available.
Often bought together
Pricing & pack sizes
In stock — same-day dispatch
These pack sizes aren't a limit. Molekula manufactures, sources and repacks to order — if you need 500 kg and only see 1 kg listed, . We quote from grams to multi-tonne.
Need a different size? Add the nearest pack and change the size in your basket — we price it at the same rate per unit.
-
500 g — £23.00 per pack ex VAT · £27.60 inc. VAT
-
1 kg — £41.90 per pack ex VAT · £50.28 inc. VAT
Need a different quantity or pack?
Tell us how much you need and when — drums, IBCs, sacks or a one-off bulk lot. We'll manufacture or source it and come back with a price.
Prices exclude VAT/sales tax and shipping.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless or translucent to white powder |
| Specific rotation | +12° to +12.8° |
| Loss on Drying | ≤0.5% |
| Chloride (Cl-) | ≤100ppm |
| Sulphated Ash | ≤0.05% |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤10ppm |
| Mesh size | 20 - 40 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤5ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤2ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤1ppm |
| Calcium (Ca) | ≤200ppm |
| Assay (dried basis) | 99.7% to 100.5% |
| Sulphates (SO4)(2-) | ≤150ppm |
| Oxalate (Oxalic acid) | ≤100ppm |
Storage & handling
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | Ambient |
| Flash Point | 210 °C |
| Acidity | Acid |
Literature values
Published physical properties of the substance, not batch specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 206 °C |
| Density | 1.79 (relative, water = 1) |
| Solubility (other solvents) | Soluble in water and alcohol; 1 gm in 0.8 ml water |
| Vapour Pressure | 0.00000015 mmHg |
Source: PubChem CID 444305 (ICSC, Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), Haz-Map)
Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 36724317 |
| CAS Number | 87-69-4 |
| IUPAC Name | (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid |
| EC Number | 201-766-0 |
| Molecular Formula | HO2CCH(OH)CH(OH)CO2H |
| Molecular Weight | 150.09 |
| Exact Mass | 150.0164 |
| SMILES | [C@@H]([C@H](C(=O)O)O)(C(=O)O)O |
| InChIKey | FEWJPZIEWOKRBE-JCYAYHJZSA-N |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C4H6O6/c5-1(3(7)8)2(6)4(9)10/h1-2,5-6H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)/t1-,2-/m1/s1 |
| PubChem CID | 444305 |
| REACH Code | Y110 |
| TSCA Listed | Yes |
| HTS Code | 2918120000 |
| Tariff Code | 2918120000 |
Safety & GHS
-
Corrosive
GHS05
-
Health Hazard
GHS07
Hazard statements
- H303 May be harmful if swallowed
- H315 Causes skin irritation
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
- H318 Causes serious eye damage
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation
- H402 Harmful to aquatic life
Precautionary statements
- P261 Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
- P273 Avoid release to the environment
- P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
- P302+352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with soap and water
- P304+340 IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing
- P305+351+338 IF IN EYES: Rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing
Documents
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) by batch
Enter a lot or batch number to retrieve the CoA for that specific batch. We can generate one from spec data if no PDF is on file.
Quality certificates
Molekula Group is certified to ISO 9001:2015 (quality) and ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management), audited by a UKAS-accredited body. Both certificates are valid to 17 May 2028.
Synonyms
- (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid
- (2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid
- (2R,3R)-Tartaric acid
- (R,R)-Tartaric acid
- Dextrotartaric acid
- L-threaric acid
- Natural tartaric acid
- Rechtsweinsaeure
- tartaric acid
- Threaric acid
Frequently asked questions
What is L-Tartaric acid used for?
L-Tartaric acid is commonly used in food and beverage applications as an acidulant and antioxidant, and in pharmaceuticals and chemical synthesis as a chiral building block.
What is the chemical formula and molecular weight of L-Tartaric acid?
The formula is HO2CCH(OH)CH(OH)CO2H with a molecular weight of 150.09 g/mol.
How should L-Tartaric acid be stored?
Store at ambient temperature, protected from moisture and heat, in a tightly closed container.
What grade of L-Tartaric acid is available?
Molekula supplies L-Tartaric acid with an assay of 99.7% to 100.5% (dried basis), a specific rotation of +12° to +12.8°, and defined limits for impurities including lead, iron, mercury, chloride, sulphates and oxalate; please specify your application when ordering.
Can Molekula supply L-Tartaric acid in bulk?
Yes, Molekula can supply L-Tartaric acid in bulk quantities—contact us for pricing and availability.
What documentation comes with an order of L-Tartaric acid?
Each order includes a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS); additional documentation can be provided upon request.
Where can I buy L-Tartaric acid?
Directly from Molekula, which lists L-Tartaric acid in 500 g and 1 kg packs from £27.60 inc. VAT, with a certificate of analysis for every batch. Larger quantities are quoted on request. Molekula's offices: United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, United States and China.
Ready to order or need a custom pack?
Tell us the product, grade, and quantity — Molekula usually responds within one working day with pricing and lead time.